Mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, stuffing and pumpkin pie are all food staples of this holiday but are not what makes Thanksgiving important. So often, we get caught up in the delicious food to remember what Thanksgiving is truly about.
Thanksgiving is a holiday that is solely based on the things people are thankful for. In this day and age, it is so important to give thanks and remember what we are grateful for.
“I am so thankful for my family and my three pups,” junior Spencer Harvey said. Quality time with loved ones is an incredible perk of the season and what Harvey loves most because she gets to spend time with her whole family.
The joy of being with family is a common trend for many students. For freshman Anna Hunsinger, it means a time when her family is really able to come together despite the distances that separate them.
“I love Thanksgiving because I get the opportunity to see family that lives in other states,” Hunsigner said. “Since my family is originally from Kentucky, many family members that have moved out of the state make the trip to come back home for the holiday/”
This holiday also gives everyone a chance to reflect on what brings them joy and the importance of people in their lives.
“I am very thankful for the continued chance to develop my media craft and for the Lord continuing to teach me contentment with where I am day in and day out,” senior Gabriel Sullivan said. “I love Thanksgiving for the chance to be with people I care about; it’s a very warm and loud time whenever this time rolls around and it fills me with joy to know I’m not alone and have people that care for me and I care for.”
For many people, Thanksgiving can mean different things. It can mean a time of gathering and enjoying being in the presence of their loved ones, or it can mean gathering around a TV and watching football while yelling at the referees.
The importance of remembering moments to be thankful for is essential. Lives get busy and an easy pattern to fall into the frivolous day-to-day routine. Setting aside a holiday to recognize the importance of thankfulness helps keep people grounded and breaks the trend of complaining, which is too easy.
“Thanksgiving means a lot. It’s shown me to be thankful for the bigger moments in life but also the smaller ones. Whenever Thanksgiving comes around, I’m able to set time aside and see all that I’m blessed with,” Hunsinger said.
So while we can be thankful for the break from school and the fun festivities of the day, don’t lose track of the fundamental things that make this holiday meaningful.
