Thanksgiving Traditions and Transitions
Thanksgiving has always been a time for reflection, connection, and sometimes reinvention. This episode delves into the ways the holiday has evolved for our family over the years—through struggles, transitions, and joyful new traditions. From chaotic early Thanksgivings at Subway to legless turkeys and a blended family dynamic, this episode is about more than just the holiday. It’s about how traditions shape us and how we learn to shape them in return.
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Summary of Episode 5
One Thanksgiving stands out vividly. With no food at home and nowhere to go, we ended up eating turkey sandwiches at a Subway in a strip mall during a sleet storm. While it felt like a low point at the time, that memory has become a family tale of resilience and humor.
“We just sat and ate our little Subway turkey sandwiches. And we did laugh. Sometimes, that’s all you can do,” I shared during the episode.
As life evolved, so did Thanksgiving. When I remarried and our family expanded to include five children, the dynamics of the holiday shifted. Suddenly, it wasn’t about returning to my parents’ home but creating a new space and new traditions.
“We wanted a tradition that felt warm and welcoming. One where kids could come home and just be,” I explained.
“We wanted a tradition that felt warm and welcoming. One where kids could come home and just be,”
The Story of the Legless Turkey
A more recent Thanksgiving memory is now family legend: Adele’s husband Eric, new to the holiday, casually tore a turkey leg off the centerpiece bird before dinner.
“I had to decide: make a fuss or just laugh. I chose to laugh,” I recalled. It was a defining moment for me, a reminder that the heart of Thanksgiving isn’t about perfection but about harmony, love, and acceptance.
“It’s funny to think adulthood isn’t just one grand launch. It’s a series of smaller, incremental launches”
Launching Through Traditions
Thanksgiving has always been a reflection of life’s transitions, from childhood to adulthood and everything in between. It’s the holiday where we come back to the familiar while bringing parts of our new selves.
“It’s funny to think adulthood isn’t just one grand launch. It’s a series of smaller, incremental launches,” I said, summarizing the evolving nature of family and independence.
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Through the laughter, the challenges, and the legless turkeys, Thanksgiving remains a time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of where we are—and where we’re going.
What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions? Share them with us! 🍂
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