As the fall season continues and Thanksgiving approaches, it’s important to take a step back to understand the values and importance of the tradition. Many often overlook this holiday, but it truly holds significant value and is the reason that people often get together and celebrate what they are thankful for. Taking a closer look at Thanksgiving, I will explain why this is the best holiday of the year.
The tradition of Thanksgiving was modeled on a 1621 harvest feast by the English colonists of Plymouth and Wampanoag people. On October 3, 1789, George Washington issued a proclamation naming Thursday, November 26, 1789, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. It wasn’t until October 3, 1863, that Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving was to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. Since then, it has been celebrated everywhere across America. Some of the most notable foods at Thanksgiving include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and pumpkin pie.
“The stuffing goes crazy. And I’m talking in-the-bird stuffing. Some people say that stuffing cooked outside the bird is basically the same thing but those people have no idea what they’re talking about,” said Saucon alum Kiran Pandey. Additionally, when asked about his favorite memory at Thanksgiving, Pandey responded, “A recent one that’s particularly memorable is when we were all going around the table saying what we were thankful for that year, and my mom, through tears, said she felt particularly thankful for my dad. My dad, who was of course at the table, but who she had divorced a couple of years prior and with whom she’s always had a rocky relationship, to say the least. I was full out sobbing in a way that I’ve only cried maybe seven or eight times in my life. It felt apocalyptic, in the sense that sometimes people can only verbalize the things they really feel when presented with the end of the world.”
Clearly, Thanksgiving not only features incredible foods, but it also has a much deeper meaning that extends beyond that. This holiday is a time where people can gather with family and friends, share a nice meal, and express gratitude for aspects of their lives. It is important to recognize that life only holds meaning relative to one’s appreciation of it. It can also be a time of service to others in the community. Personally, it is my favorite as I get to see and spend time with my entire family, which I hardly get to do anymore. On top of this, it is a lot of fun to prepare and make the big dinner to later sit and eat with everyone.
In response to my question about what the most important part of Thanksgiving is, Dianne Jacobetz responded, “The family is all together, we get to watch the growth of our family over the years and be inclusive of anyone in our lives that year.” Jacobetz also added, “I love our tradition of going around the table and sharing what you are thankful for whether you are 2 years old or 80 years old. Gratitude is also paramount. At the end of the day we need to be grateful to even be alive let alone for all the amazing things in our lives – from our family and friends to the things we have, the food we have, the blessings in our lives. We are so blessed.”
People often have different favorite parts of Thanksgiving, but for my family personally, I think the most important part is gathering together and expressing gratitude. It’s not often where I get to spend time with my family as a whole, so it’s important that these memories are cherished. Along with Thanksgiving, there are also many festivities that occur at this time of year as well. For example, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in Manhattan, New York occurs every year on Thanksgiving day, and it is a big celebration for some. Additionally, the annual Turkey Trot that takes place in Bethlehem is also an important activity that my family has a fun time participating in.
“To me, the best part of Thanksgiving is getting to see all of our extended family. Our mom’s side of the family always comes to our house and we get to reconnect with people we love who we haven’t seen in a while,” said Saucon alum Hannah Pandey. “Our mom’s side of the family usually travels to us from different places in the northeast such as MA, NY, and NJ. When everyone comes, it’s a bit more than 20 people, but it has varied over the years since COVID.”
Obviously, it is quite clear that Thanksgiving is one of the most fun and popular holidays and in my opinion, the best overall. While there are differing opinions as to what the best part of Thanksgiving is, it can be agreed upon that it is a time for expressing gratitude and spending time with those you love. Whether or not you agree with my opinion, I hope that the several viewpoints and information about the holiday has provided insight as to why Thanksgiving is such an important event of year.
