Lifestyles

Breaking the Tradition of Thanksgiving

November 29, 2007

By Jessica Bledsoe

The smells of turkey mingled with potatoes, green beans and dinner rolls linger in the air on Thanksgiving. The following day, Black Friday, families and friends gather in the wee hours of the morning to wait for stores to open. The lines are long, and parking is scarce. Others, who decide not to brave the crowds, stay at home dreaming of turkey legs and sweet potatoes.

These are a few traditions that warm the hearts of many during the Thanksgiving holiday. Finding comfort in the familiar, they thrive on time with family and friends. However, this year, at least two families branched out and tried something a little different.

Sarah Sobkow, senior at MBU, gathered with her family to celebrate Thanksgiving a week early on Nov. 17. Both sides of the family knew they would be out of town over the holiday. Sobkow said, “It just made sense to celebrate early so we could all be together.”

On Thanksgiving Day, Sobkow traveled with her parents to Branson, Mo. for a mini- vacation. Over the break, Sobkow enjoyed visiting Silver Dollar City, shopping in the outlet malls and watching movies—not a normal Thanksgiving tradition. Sobkow said, “I just enjoyed being with my family.”

The Sobkows were not the only ones to break tradition this year. Neisha Ayers, senior at MBU, celebrated Thanksgiving early, too. She left for Kansas a week prior to the holiday to spend time with her family.

Ayers knew that her work schedule would not allow her to travel home over Thanksgiving break. Due to her job at the Gap, she worked the day before Thanksgiving as well as Black Friday, traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year.

Because she was in the St. Louis area, Ayers spent Thanksgiving with her boyfriend and his family. She celebrated the holiday twice and was able to enjoy it with the people she loved.

Ayers said, “Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving no matter when you have it.”

#   #   #