Thanksgiving remains a favorite holiday for the Here I Am team and the York family. This year, we share six family traditions that endure, even during our modern, technology-focused, world.
The Meal
Turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and homemade pie. While we live in an era of plenty and can now make this meal any time of the year, saving it for Thanksgiving Day continues the tradition.
Home Movies
Watching moves from 5, 10, 20 and even 50 years ago brings the family together. We were all goofy kids at some point in our lives and this is captured forever on film. Nothing seems to have changed over the years. Photo apps and social media pull up these past pictures at any time now, but watching together on Thanksgiving Day remains a source of laughter for the whole family.
Phone Calls
Thanksgiving remains a time for connections with family and friends. With social media, constant updates occur and one is never out of touch. While text messages are starting to replace phone calls – the direct, personal conversations remains special on Thanksgiving Day.
The Detroit Lions
With our family hailing from Detroit, the tradition of watching them play at noon every Thanksgiving Day remains strong, and reminds us all of past Thanksgivings. Unfortunately, the team has never been very good – so taking a mid-day nap during the game remains an ongoing family tradition.
Football – playing (instead of watching)
Some of our favorite pictures remain of family football huddles composed of players from age 5 to age 65 (retirees get to be the referees). Everybody can play, everybody scores a touchdown and we all have a good time.
Watching the Macy’s Parade in New York City
The TV is usually muted, but we do enjoy waking up and watching the big balloons float down the street. The same story is always told about the one time we were there in person, watching from 10 rows back, so that the balloon were all we could see. Old stories are old, but still fun to tell.
Time with family and the traditions that form these bonds make our lives richer. We hope everyone enjoys their own family bonds and has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Written by Tom
