Thanksgiving: The Overshadowed Holiday

Konnor-Ashley Randlett

By the time the clock struck twelve on November first, Christmas trees were up in stores, snowflakes danced on windows and music stations blared “Jingle Bells”. The halls were decked with holiday cheer before anyone could bat a Christmas-gift-fixed eye. However, as forgotten as it may seem, there looms another holiday that comes weeks before the winter holidays… Thanksgiving.

Year after year, the lovely winter holidays creep up sooner and sooner to the point that people yearn for their holiday music, treats, and decorations as soon as they get home from trick-or-treating. There is obviously nothing wrong with sharing cheer, as a well-known movie once exclaimed, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!!” But what about Thanksgiving?

Instead of it being that one holiday that we celebrate in order to get to Christmas, why don’t we take our excitement for the holidays and spread it to all holidays?! Thanksgiving teaches us a great message about cooperation, family, and giving thanks for all we have. It is easy to take our life as it is, but Thanksgiving is that day that we can get up with our families and reflect on all the blessings we have.

While we are blowing through November, patiently waiting for Christmas, Hanukah and the other lovely winter holidays, remember Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims and Indians. Remember that on that day in 1621, two groups of people that were meant to be enemies had a simple gathering. When we look at people and our world, remember, we are more alike than we are different.  

Each holiday carries different meanings and traditions, but the one holiday that has the simplest meaning is Thanksgiving. The meaning of the holiday is literally in its name: Thanksgiving: give thanks.

It is easy to get caught up in the parades, floats, football, feasts, and family, but remember what we’re celebrating. Give thanks and tell the people who are closet to you that you love them. Time is precious, make the most of the time with your loved ones!