The bare plywood floor was cold. The only thing between myself and the coarse wooden floor was a pillow. Despite the cold, the air was warm with laughter and voices talking. Hours before, I wondered what Thanksgiving without turkey or ham was. Would a tradition be broken this year?
I sat around the old electric heater eating scrambled eggs when I looked over to see my parents talking and my younger sisters laughing. I realized then that our Thanksgiving traditions were never the food or decorations. It was the laughter of my mother, the embrace of my sisters, my father’s dad jokes, the harsh autumn air that made leaves kiss the ground, the cold air that made my breath visible. Thanksgiving was the small things that were our traditions. That year we were fixing our recently bought house to turn it into a home – another thing to be grateful for.
While we dined on eggs that day all those years ago, they are not my favorite Thanksgiving meal. I enjoy the classic Thanksgiving line up with my girlfriend’s aunt’s ham being one of my recent favorites. To me, Thanksgiving is a time to sit and appreciate the world around me. This year I am thankful for all the people who still believe in me.
I asked some other Macon Early College students to share how they celebrate the holiday, what they are thankful for, and their favorite Thanksgiving foods.
Alondra Hernandez Gonzalez, Freshman
“In my family, on the night of Thanksgiving, we have a special dinner. To me, Thanksgiving is a time where everyone gets together and celebrates a day in which everyone is extra nice to each other. Something I am thankful for is being vaccinated and being in good health.” Favorite Thanksgiving foods: mashed potatoes and potato salad.
Jackson Kelley, Sophomore
“It’s the normal Thanksgiving tradition of just going and eating with your family.” His family likes to sit around a fire pit and talk during Thanksgiving. “It’s really special. We usually do our own thing at home. It’s kinda rare for us to be in one area.” During this time, Kelley is grateful for his parents. “They have taught me to grow up caring about everybody and doing things that are right... I’m just thankful for them teaching me how they have. I’ve learned a lot.”
Gabrielle Wilkinson, Junior
“Thanksgiving means to slow down and take time to appreciate the many things that we take for granted in our busy lives. To remember those around us that make our life special and worth living. I am thankful for my family, county, and the friends around me.” Favorite Thanksgiving foods: turkey, stuffing and ham.
Muhammed Patel, Senior
“Aside from the usual family get-together, no extraordinary traditions to speak of. There are a ton of traditional dishes with goat, lamb, chicken, and fish – I’ve got too many which bring back warm memories of family and comfort.” For Patel, Thanksgiving is a time of reflection. “To me, Thanks-giving is a time to observe the state of the world. To see the plight of those less fortunate, and to in turn be thankful for those necessities which are not afforded to millions of others. Every year I am thankful for basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing, so this year I want to take a step back and appreciate all the people in my life who make the world go ’round. I’m thankful for my teachers, friends, community and most importantly my family.”
Analee Webb, Senior
“My family usually goes to two Thanksgiving dinners. We start by going to my grandparent’s house on my mom’s side of the family, which includes my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Then we go to my papa’s house with my aunts, uncles and cousins. To me, Thanksgiving is a time where we really think about all the things we’re blessed with - little and big. I am thankful for all the people in my life that care about me.” Favorite Thanksgiving foods: Aunt Missy’s ham and Aunt Frances’s eclairs.
BY Kevin Sanchez
Macon Early College, Student Intern