For my entire life, I have spent Thanksgiving with my mom, dad, older brother, and other members of my family. I forget when this happened at first, but for quite a few years, I have helped make Thanksgiving dinner with my family. I have always enjoyed this tradition, as it is quite fun to make all the amazing food with the people I care about most.

     When it comes time to make the Thanksgiving dinner, my brother usually does the turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, and mashed potatoes while my mom makes the pie, whether it be pumpkin or apple (I prefer the apple due to my distaste for pumpkin), and the rolls, while I make the green bean casserole and stuffing.

     Thanksgiving means so much to me, even if I don’t really say it. This is one of the times of the year when I really appreciate my family and what they mean to me. I thank my mom for working so hard to provide us with food on the table, clothes on our bodies, and a roof over our heads. I thank my dad for being there when I need him most, like when I have a bad day and he gives me a hug or provides me with a laugh with his great sense of humor. I thank my brother for putting up with me, even when we get on each other’s nerves, and for congratulating me when something great happens. 

     This year for Thanksgiving, my family and I are doing something a bit different than what we usually do. I found out through my dad that we are going to be Zoom calling my cousin and her family, another cousin of mine, and my aunt on Thanksgiving. I honestly think that this is a great idea due to the pandemic not allowing us to have people over on Thanksgiving outside of the people that we live with. It is really upsetting that we can’t have people outside our households visit for the holiday but as said before, doing something like a Zoom call can bring the family together, even when we live hundreds of miles away from each other. 

     Every year (until this year), my family and I would watch “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” but due to it strictly being aired on Apple TV+, this tradition has sadly been broken. Thanksgiving won’t be the same without it. It has made us laugh for many years and won’t be forgotten.  

     Even though many things have changed this year due to COVID-19, some things have stayed the same, like spending time with family. The things I love most about Thanksgiving are spending time with my family, making the food, and sharing what we loved most about the year. Thanksgiving has been a part of this country since before its establishment and it reminds us to be thankful for what we have and who are part of our lives.