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GIVE THANKS
by Brittany Maher
My favorite Thanksgiving memories happen at a place that for centuries has been deemed second best; underrated and unrecognized. A place where all the youngest cousins, siblings, nieces and nephews gather in a distant, far off realm: the kid’s table.
At our house, it’s the after dinner festivities that I look forward to the most. While the men plop down on the couch with full bellies to watch the football game and the women dig through Black Friday deals, we at the respected kid’s table have a bigger mission: an annual home-run derby to decide who has it in them to win over the respect of our elders and gain bragging rights until Christmas.
We set up the bases in the backyard and take the field. The battle commences. Brother against sister, cousin against cousin. One by one we step up to the plate and give our best swing. My oldest cousin usually reins champion, but not the Thanksgiving of 2009. After the two of us compete head to head for a solid hour, I hit one clear over the fence to put me in the lead. My family applauds and I run the bases in victory. The game ends. The prize: the last beloved slice of chocolate cheese cake.
COME TOGETHER
by Traci Hendrix
Holidays, though seemingly overdone, are simply a special time of the year that aim to bring together families and cherish relationships. Whether they are religious or not, holidays are special to every single person. They do not need to be snuffed out by schools, taken out of media or discriminated against by rivaling celebrations. The number of holidays celebrated throughout the world is infinite.
Each holiday serves a specific purpose or (else) it wouldn’t be considered a special occasion, and that aspect is not something to be overlooked. After eating your weight in turkey and pies, surviving the apocalypse, ripping wrappings, spreading cheer and spending time with loved ones, bring in the New Year with a resolution to have an open mind to others’ holidays and accept the fact that none of them are going anywhere any time soon.
CELEBRATE LIFE
by Megan Emory
Winding roads, cold wind and the smell of Christmas trees mark the start of the holiday season. We all have family traditions that we know are worthy of telling our kids and grandkids about someday and this is one of mine.
Christmas doesn’t really begin until I am in my grandparent’s living room putting ornaments and lights on the newly chopped tree that my twin sister and I just spent 40 minutes searching for in every worthy tree lot in West Virginia. With Christmas music and the smell of pumpkin pie baking in the background, I always have a moment where I stop and realize this is why I love this holiday. It’s bigger than just a day to get gifts, it’s about spending time with those you love celebrating life.