One More Week!

Ah, Thanksgiving is almost here! I am especially excited as this happens to be one of my favorite holidays. There is just so much to love about it.

1. Time with my family, including those that I don't see often. Plus, my adorable little cousins who grow so much while I'm at school.

2. Attending my home church. Nothing beats going back to see fellow members I have known for years. Or hearing the pastor preach a fantastic message.

3. Food. My family knows how to throw down. Farm raised turkey, ham, and chicken. Then there's the stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, and riced potatoes. Not to forget the homemade rolls. And the dessert- yummy pumpkin pie, apple pie, and chocolate cake all with ice cream.

4. Football. Everyone in my family is a huge sports fan. Everyone shows my a few hours before dinner so we can watch some football together. Even my aunts will start yelling at the t.v. It's quite loud and an awesome sight to see.

5. Thanksgiving Day Run. I have to get n my holiday exercise and this is my favorite way. The run was started after my former doctor and well known community figure passed away unexpectedly. Every year, thousands come out to run or walk along the lake front, raising money for charity. Usually my immediate all participates to remember the man who helped keep us all alive.

6. Shopping. Now I consider myself a serious shopper. However, I cannot handle being out there on Black Friday. I don't have that kind of patience to deal with all those people. Instead, I wait until Saturday and take advantage of the deals still going on to get what I need.

7. Down Time. As a stressed out college student, having 5 days away from school is a welcome break. I can sleep in, spend my time with family/friends, and catch up on some t.v. that I missed while I had my head buried in a book.

8. Christmas Decorations. Again, my family is big into the holidays so the weekend of Thanksgiving is when the first of the Christmas decorations are brought out. My dad and I will string up the lights outside and my stepmom starts to organize the Christmas decorations for the house.

9. Giving Back. Thanksgiving, and the whole holiday season in general, is a great time to give back to those less fortunate. My siblings and I often go to the store to buy food to donate to the local food bank. My grandfather also donates 10 turkeys every year too.

10. Visiting my grandmas. This October, I lost my maternal grandma. She was only sick for a few months but it got to be too much for her body to handle. This will be my first Thanksgiving without her. So due to her absence in person, I will be visiting her grave with my grandpa so I can finally see her gravestone as it was not there when I left home from the funeral. While I am at the cemetery, I will also be paying a visit to my paternal grandma's grave. Sadly, I do not remember her as she passed shortly after I was born. It will definitely be different without a grandma this Thanksgiving but I take comfort that they are both in a better place.

Now it's only one week til Thanksgiving day. But luck for me, I get to head home a few days before. I am excited for everything and can't wait. Hopefully I can focus on my classes and homework until I leave.

Til next time, "There is no finish line."

~AJ