Angela Jamison is a native Montanan and she grew up in beautiful Bozeman. I'm the mother of two girls and write a blog about our life here and taking in the simple pleasures of family and food.
Thanksgiving. Such a simple, wonderful holiday without the fuss the others can bring. The first thought that comes to most minds when one thinks of Thanksgiving is of course a big turkey dinner surrounded by family. Throughout my years I have found that while this is still the most common, there are many ways to celebrate Thanksgiving and it means something different to everyone. With the holiday coming up I recently asked my two daughters and husband to tell me what Thanksgiving means to them. The many answers I received got me thinking just how different it can be to each person…what we each take from it. As a mostly vegetarian family I was surprised that turkey was still one of the first answers…it goes to show you some things just go together. Some of the other answers I got…
-Afternoon naps and wine (husband)
-Being thankful for what we have and Jello (oldest daughter who only has eaten this at Thanksgiving at Grandma’s house!)
-Mashed potatoes, pie and people killing turkeys (youngest daughter…with a bit of a dark side)
-The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Me…I’m a sucker for the Rockettes performance during it)
Not only does Thanksgiving mean something different to each person, how we celebrate also varies. It can change and evolve, turning into your own way of celebrating.
For some it is the traditional Thanksgiving. Family gathered around the table with all the usual trimmings. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie. The fancy china comes out, grace is said at the beginning of the meal and a Hallmark commercial Thanksgiving meal follows. As lovely as this is, it certainly may not be the reality for all. Especially in a place like Bozeman where so many have moved here, family may be very far away. If family lives elsewhere, Thanksgiving means partaking in the busiest travel time of the year. Sitting in airports with all the others anxious to get to loved ones or braving the icy roads and potential snowstorms. Doing this because spending this holiday with those they love is so important. On the other hand, some choosing the newly popular Friendsgiving with those you now consider family in the town you live. With so many living away from family this is the next best choice. Surrounding yourself with friends you love and feeling grateful that although you aren’t with your family you still are getting the gift of togetherness.
There are also those that consider this is a very difficult time of year. Knowing Thanksgiving is the kick-off to Christmas and if your funds are limited this quickly becomes the least merry time of year. Finding it hard to see a reason to celebrate and be grateful, but trying to make it happen. In Bozeman that may mean taking advantage of the many resources available. The other day I was donating a turkey to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank for Thanksgiving and was overwhelmed by the amount of people in the parking lot doing the same. I couldn’t even park because of all the people and this made me very emotional. To see the outpouring of support for those that need it. Trying to help make this Thanksgiving a little easier, a little brighter for someone else. This can also be seen by the hundreds who will spend their Thanksgiving morning participating in the annual Huffing for Stuffing to raise money for the food bank. Trying to make it possible for everyone to get the opportunity to have a Thanksgiving in their own way.
However you celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday, whatever it means to you remember to find the things to be grateful for. No matter how small. May it be happy, may it find you in good health and may you be surrounded by love.