We gathered around the table. We stuffed our faces. We shared laughs and reflected on stories. Like millions of families across the globe, my family came together on Nov. 28 to celebrate Thanksgiving. While Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday season and a time for loved ones far and wide to gather and dine, it also is a time to give thanks. While there may be a whole day dedicated to giving thanks and celebrating gratitude, we should be reflecting on the things we are grateful for every day, not just on special occasions. 

While I enjoy stuffing my face and filling my stomach with a delicious dinner, Thanksgiving isn’t my favorite holiday. This year was no different but for a different reason. 

A few days before Thanksgiving, my family faced a sudden loss. My grandmother, or as we grandkids call her, Grammy, tragically passed. We were left heartbroken. I grew up one of 11 grandchildren, and I have always been extremely close to my family. She had been the glue to our beautiful, crazy family. 

During the grieving process, my family bonded together and lent each other shoulders to cry on. Throughout these last few weeks, I have noticed how beyond grateful I am for my family and I want to celebrate that every day.

Like many other Rowan students, I live a busy, and chaotic life. I would often find myself reeling about work, school, and extracurricular activities. My mind would be racing with all these stressors, and I would disregard the things that mean the most in life; family.

I would find that I would often miss phone calls and miss out on family gatherings because I was “too busy” or “too stressed.” I know I am not the only one either. I have learned a lot recently, but one big lesson I’ve learned is that while college may be a time of stress and mayhem, there are people who get you to where you are today, and you should be thankful for them every day before they are gone.

Yes, school can be stressful and it is important to care about school, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice other things for it. You can call your mom and still get your assignments done. You can visit your hometown for a family movie night, and still get an A on that exam. 

As the quote goes, “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone,” but you can celebrate and take in everything you have, each and every day. Thanksgiving is a beautiful day where families come together to celebrate each other and give thanks to each other, but you can do that every day, it doesn’t just have to be Thanksgiving. 

Every day I am thankful for the life I get to live. I am thankful for the beautiful life I have at Rowan, and the beautiful family I have supporting me. I think it is so important to reflect and remember everything you have, no matter the day.

 As one of Grammy’s favorite celebrities, Princess Diana, said, “Every one of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves.”

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