There is much to be thanksful on Thanksgiving Day, especially when surrounded by my loved ones. For the past few years I’ve been lucky enough to spend my hours in school and at home, pursuing my degree and remaining close to family. I am lucky in that my family doesn’t mind my busy schedule and always offers a warm home for me to come back to. For my time at home, the holiday season has always been my favorite season. From the chaos of cousins to warm foods awaiting on the table, Thanksgiving has been the best one yet.
This past year as been incredible, and in the half-year that I’ve been in my second year of college, I’ve already acquired wonderful memories to savor in my lifetime. It was the professors, events, and plenty of new friends that really made my college career worthwhile. To come to think of it, that is all thanks to my family. And to suffice, my family being my constant backbone of support.
There’s a quote by W.T. Purkiser that is displayed at the front of my house that reads:
Not what we say about our bleeings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.
Photo by quotefancy
With this quote along with multiple quotes around my household, I am always reminded of the encouragement of my family and the reason of how I am able to attend school.
With the year setting in, I can’t avoid reminiscing back to a time where I didn’t have what I have now. About ten years ago, I wouldn’t had imagined my family grew three times from then or how I dedicate another time during this season to have a friendsgiving.
This Thanksgiving, I asked my mother what she was grateful for this year. I learned that Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday for moderation. How Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday just about food, but everyone’s words of gratitude for their loved ones.
I profiled my mother for speak mostly on the part of Thanksgiving. Since she is the main cook and prepares most of the food along with my three aunts, I wanted to get her perspective on the holiday of gratitude. Being the most wonderful women I know, I learned more about her feelings for this holiday than ever before. I had to translate since she speaks chinese. As I asked the usual questions during an interview, I can see her fumbling her hands and her eagerness to stand up. I assumed she was nervous she was being recorded, however, she surprised me for what she had to say next. Halfway through our interview, she stopped me and said words that I won’t ever forget.
“Daughter, why are you asking these questions? Can we just end this conversation with I’m grateful for you, I love you, and I love where our relationship is right now? I have to prepare the food.”
Taking into consideration her sass, I knew where she was coming from. She said a few other worthwhile quotes I can add but this was my favorite one. It showed her personality the best as she has a mother of two and a family member of twenty, so she had to be straight to the point and get back to cooking. I guess Thanksgiving is about the food to her but another quote she said had added her point.
She chuckled as she said “Thanksgiving is and isn’t about food. Yes, I love food too but it is also about what food does to family. We sit together and eat and that is what family is supposed to do.”
My mother’s words had lightened up my perspectives on why families eat food together. Although her sayings hasty, my mother’s personality had shown through her eagerness to cook and sincere attitude toward her family. It was funny how her conscience on Thanksgiving was only to cook and entertain. I realized I cannot be more grateful about her and her willingness to cook for the family.
Now, another Thanksgiving is past and my family is on the express train to Christmas. The days are numbered leading the Christmas. Seeing as the Thanksgiving holiday has just taken place a few days ago, I was grateful to spend it with my family.