Dollars & Sense contributors wrote Thanksgiving stories over the recent break. The editorial team has selected a few to share. These intimate and insightful narratives remind us of what makes the holiday season special.
Alcoholics Give Thanks for 24-hour Share-A-Thon on Thanksgiving.
By Anthony Ruiz
It was Thanksgiving Day at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Forest Hills’ Grace Lutheran Church. The room buzzed with chatter as attendees entered, and hugs abounded. Coffee, tea, and cookies were available for all who needed a little boost. Then, the room got quiet, except for an occasional sigh and some abrupt clapping when a member shared their sober anniversary.
How My Family Saved Thanksgiving
By Irza Waraich
There’s always been a need to make a holiday perfect in my household. Eid was no different. In the lead-up to Eid, I loved the 30 days of Ramadan for the spring rolls my sister and I prepared and the fried foods that ended our 12-hour fast. Yet I grew anxious when Eid approached, as the lessons of tolerance and gratitude that filled Ramadan seemed to wash away in the chaos.
Breaking Traditions
By Babett Sason
Thanksgiving has always been different for me, devoid of the clichés that define it for others. Turkey never graced our table — I found its texture too dry and its appearance unappetizing. My family gatherings were small and intimate, just the four of us. Thanksgiving often eclipsed my birthday or sometimes overshadowed its preparation. But through it all, my dad ensured that I always felt special, even when others didn’t.
The Forgotten
By Emma Delahanty
Thanksgiving was nothing special for me. As a kid, I was dragged from family to family to spend the holiday evenly with each parent. On my mom’s side, it was a day like all the rest. But on my dad’s side, my grandma Luchy made sure we all knew to give thanks to God.