Thanksgiving is a holiday that means a lot to many people. That meaning differs a bit from person to person, and family to family, with the various ways people celebrate. This autumn get-together brings friends and family close while celebrating the things that matter to them. A senior at Sunlake, Ana Sofia Londono has her own experiences about Thanksgiving unique to her family. For some, Thanksgiving is a time to travel to meet up with other family members, and that is exactly what Ana Sofia did. She and her immediate family made a three-hour drive to Vilano Beach. Here in St. Augustine, she was able to visit her “…Florida family” which includes Ana Sofia’s “…parents, brother, aunts, uncles, and cousins.” Ana Sofia is fortunate to have family members who live in the same state, so she gets to spend this holiday with them without having to travel too far.
The way this family celebrates the holiday is by spending quality time with one another and even coordinating fall clothing. This is a unique tradition that Ana Sofia’s family participates in that is enjoyable for the whole Florida family. Ana Sofia and her family do not have other traditions per se, but every year the family gets together for a meal and time to catch up. This kind of time is very valuable and is not any less meaningful than a typical tradition, like watching football. If anything, these moments are much more memorable than any generic tradition where people partake in activities solely for the sake of tradition. For Ana Sofia, she believes Thanksgiving is being “…able to share a meal with family,” and that the holiday “…represents a unification of families and what everyone is thankful for.” This part of Thanksgiving is where its meaningfulness comes from. Many families share what they are all grateful for and get to reflect on the wonderful things from the previous year. This holiday helps open people’s eyes to how lucky they are. Specifically, Ana Sofia is thankful for her “…family and friends and for every opportunity they have been able to give…” her. Additionally, she expresses thanks for being able to move to the United States “…for a better life and education…” These grateful words are expressed over a warm, home-cooked meal her family enjoys. For this family, they do not always do traditional Thanksgiving food, but put their “…own little twist on it.” They still make a turkey, but fill it with vegetables, like peas and carrots. They also made a mix of “…rice with beans, shrimp, and plantain…” and a potato and apple salad. Ana Sofia represents how Thanksgiving may look different from other families, but is just as meaningful. This holiday is so much more than the food, but the quality time spent with loved ones.
