The holiday season is upon us. It’s a season for traditions, from Thanksgiving gatherings and memorable family trips to the perfect gift and the magic of making memories. And even though year after year, we tend to get caught up in all the hustle, bustle and shopping frenzy, at the end of the day, we all agree that the time spent with family and friends is what it is truly all about.
For me, being thankful does not just depend on how much I have. It’s more about what I choose to be grateful for. What sparks my gratitude is an awareness and appreciation for the basic things in life, such as a roof over my head, a friend who cares about me, plentiful food on my family’s table and the beautiful fall foliage.
The Thanksgiving holiday also gives us the opportunity to take a look back. Kim Cesati, our Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors magazine’s Designer, said, “For me, Thanksgiving means family and a time to reflect on all the things we’re thankful for over the past year.”
Our Publisher Bob Blaisse, said that Thanksgiving Day means spending a relaxed day with friends and family, enjoying activities and meals together and sharing thoughts around thankfulness. “I’m thankful for my belief that everything I have comes from God. I’m thankful for hope (most times), that anything I need will come from Him,” he said. “But for things I think I want or don’t want, never knowing what may come, I’m most thankful for my faith in Providence. Thank God!”
Our magazine’s mission is Bringing People Together, not just around the holidays but all year long. We love to share stories about our wonderful community and are excited to feature creative content from our readers.
You may recall that last month, our October Student of the Month was Maya Lin, an exemplary student from The Grayson School. Maya expressed interest in contributing to our magazine, so we asked her to share a few words about what Thanksgiving means to her.
Thanksgiving: Food, Family and Fun
by Maya Lin
When you think of Thanksgiving, your mind darts to a comforting image of warmth, family gatherings, and, undoubtedly, an image of some elaborate poultry dish.
Thanksgiving is unequivocally, an American holiday. I mean, the history is centered in America and dates back to the early 17th century when the Pilgrims and Native Americans came together for a feast of gratitude. Over the centuries, it’s transformed into a multifaceted celebration, embracing various cultural traditions and culinary delights. One of the wonderful things about this holiday is how remarkably versatile it is. Thanksgiving festivities can take on countless forms!
My own Thanksgiving celebrations have always been varied. Whether it’s cherishing moments at family friends’ homes, indulging in elaborate spreads of dishes, or simply sitting down and enjoying precious downtime with my close family, one thing remains one constant: the feeling of immense gratitude. Thanksgiving, after all, is a holiday deeply rooted in the practice of thankfulness and authentic reflection upon the blessings in your life.
So, as I think about Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on various moments throughout my life that I am grateful for.
I am thankful for my family and friends. Yes, it may sound a little cliche, but I sincerely treasure the support system I have in my life. It is with these people who I am thankful for that I am able to experience life’s simple pleasures. Take, for instance, all the exciting delights of the Fall season.
This is a time when golden crimson leaves litter the streets and there’s a seemingly never-ending amount of autumn activities to enjoy. Whether it’s sitting and watching the pretty scenery at the Harvest Festival on Bishop Hollow Rd, visiting lovely Pumpkinland festivities at Linvilla, or going to the longest-run church fair in the United States, St. David’s Country Fair, there are so many fantastic activities I can be thankful for as the beauty of Fall unfolds around me.
Ultimately, Thanksgiving is not just about an opulent feast or a singular way of celebrating; it’s about valuing meaningful moments, both big and small, and being grateful for the wonderful people and experiences that enrich our lives during this special season. Best wishes for a happy and tasty Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Maya, for your thoughtful words. We are thankful for you and wish you a holiday filled with family, friends, fun and fantastic food! We hope to share more of your stories in the future, and we welcome others to join us with theirs.
Interested in contributing to our hometown magazine? I would love to hear your ideas and work with you on writing a feature in an upcoming issue. Please get in touch with me at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.