Let’s face it, the holidays can be hectic. From getting together with the family that expects you to be doing something productive with your life, to being trampled while shopping at 3 a.m., this time of year can be pretty stressful. If you’re a part of one of those families who go around saying what they’re thankful for, the Thanksgiving holiday can be especially nerve wrecking. It’s the easiest thing in the world for your mind to draw a blank when third cousin Stacy who is a pre-med major with a 3.8 GPA and honors calls on you to tell the family what you’re thankful for.
Chances are though, if you make a mental list (or even a physical one!), you’re less likely to panic and proclaim, “Uh, Quizlet?”
There are two very simple guidelines that I like to follow when approaching situations such as these: think about the little things, think about the big things.
The Little Things:
- The fact that mom does your three hampers of laundry (you were going home for Thanksgiving in a few weeks anyway, why would you need to wash them?) and only complains a little
- Or that dad checks your car to make sure it’s running right and then gives you that glare when he sees how dirty the inside has gotten since the last time
- The way that grandma always makes a separate batch of your favorite meal so you can take it back to school with you
- How achingly slow grandpa says the prayer while everyone has their plate made and is ready to eat and he’s the most ornery person you know
- The way that your uncle pretends to watch the football game and falls asleep in the living room chair after every. single. time.
- How your aunt starts the dishes after holiday meals but you somehow always end up finishing them
- And how your cousin slips you a glass of wine for when you ultimately get stuck with dish duty, because she did it, too
- The fact that your family always forgets to take the corn out of the microwave for dinner
- And then eats corn with all of the left overs for the next two days
- The way that the little kids never seem to run out of energy and always seem to want to play when everyone else is in a food coma and can’t move quick enough to stop them from pounding on the piano
The Big Things:
- The fact that you have a home cooked meal
- Getting to spend time with your family and seeing your friends from back home
- The chance to have gone to school
- The roof over your head
- Your wonderful family (yes, this includes third cousin Stacy who is a pre-med major with a 3.8 GPA and honors)
- The fact that you’re able to celebrate this holiday with the people that you love and who love you… and food.