The Heart of Thanksgiving: Reasons to Be With Your Family This Holiday

At the end of this article, you will find a personal not from the author.

Thanksgiving is that one holiday where we can stuff ourselves silly with turkey, indulge in an outrageous amount of pie, and still have an excuse to plop down on the couch for a well-deserved nap. But beyond the culinary delights and football games galore, there lies a deeper significance—family. Yes, those people who know all your embarrassing childhood stories and remind you every year how you were once terrified of the turkey baster. Here’s why being with your family this Thanksgiving is not just delightful but downright essential.

Nostalgia: Rewind the Clock

Thanksgiving has a magical way of turning the mundane into memories. As you sit around the table passing mashed potatoes and gravy, stories from yesteryear emerge. Uncle Bob recounts the time he burned the marshmallows on the sweet potato casserole, transforming it into a blackened confection of disaster. Aunt Susie adds her two cents about the time she made cranberry sauce so tart it could strip paint. These anecdotes might make you laugh until your sides hurt, but they also stitch together a tapestry of shared experiences.

For those among us who might be struggling with memory loss, these moments are even more precious. Family gatherings can act like a time machine, triggering flashes of recognition and sparking conversations that may bring forgotten times back to life. You see, the brain has its own way of organizing mementos, and sometimes, all it needs is an old story or a familiar face to unlock the treasure chest of bygone days.

They Want You There—Listen Up!

Your family wants you there. No, seriously, they do—despite the constant ribbing about your cooking skills or your choice in movies. More than the roasted turkey or the pumpkin pie, it’s your presence that makes the holiday special. It’s your laughter, your funny anecdotes, and yes, even your overly enthusiastic debates about whether cranberry sauce should be served canned or fresh that add flavor to the gathering.

When you show up, you’re telling your loved ones, “Hey, I value this time with you.” And trust me, it means the world to them. It’s far too easy to get caught up in our busy lives, but pausing to share a meal and some laughs can strengthen those bonds that often fray throughout the year. So, even if Cousin Tom’s jokes fall flat or Grandma insists on showing everyone her latest knitting project, remember—they want you there because you matter to them.

Tomorrow Is Not Promised: A Sobering Reminder

Here’s the hard truth: none of us knows what tomorrow holds. Life is unpredictable, and that’s putting it mildly. The harsh reality is that we could lose someone we love without any warning. That’s why these family get-togethers are so crucial. They give us an opportunity to cherish the people who mean the most to us while we still can.

Think of it as emotional insurance. By spending quality time together, you’re creating a bank of beautiful memories, something to hold onto when times get tough. So, don’t wait for the next holiday or family event to roll around. Show up now, with a heart full of gratitude and a plate piled high with turkey. There might not be a next time, and you don’t want to live with the regret of missed opportunities to connect and celebrate with those you love.

Laughter: The Best Medicine

And let’s not forget the sheer joy and hilarity that family gatherings bring. Where else can you witness Dad’s infamous video game moves, or hear Mom’s exaggerated retelling of how you once tried to cook a frozen pizza without taking it out of the box? These laugh-out-loud moments are the essence of family life. They remind us not to take ourselves too seriously and that it’s okay to be a little goofy sometimes.

Laughter is a universal language that bridges generational gaps and creates instant connections. It’s the glue that holds us together through thick and thin. So, embrace the chaos, the quirky traditions, and the lively banter. These are the moments that turn a simple dinner into an unforgettable holiday experience.

So this Thanksgiving, lean into the warmth and embrace of your family. Savor the moments, the humor, and most importantly, the love that binds you all together. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the feast on the table, but the hearts gathered around it.

Special Ending Note

Before I end this article, I just want to give my readers a personal message. I’ve been through heck and back, no joke. 2 strokes, kidney failure, lived in the hospital for 3 months followed by 2 weeks afterwards and during the first stay, I went into a weird phase where I slept for a long time and wouldn’t wake up. When I did wake up, I didn’t rememeber anyone, didn’t remember my husband, didn’t remember my mom or dad but the one person I did remember was my daughter, Ariela. I now remember everyone, and I am very thankful for every single one of them. My husband, Steven, wrote a book that you can read to learn more about the true story, you can find that here: This Thanksgiving, let’s celebrate the beautiful reasons to be with loved ones. Dive into my new article, and explore my husband’s heartfelt book on finding hope and miracles.