Growing up, Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. It was all about food and family, the two things I was most thankful for. There was no way to disappoint me if I had my cousins around me playing card and board games and a table full of delicious food for me to graze through all evening.
Becoming a mom, I have felt a pressure to create traditions around holidays as these are the memories that my kids will hold onto for years.
This was the third Thanksgiving I hosted and with each year, I learn more about how I want to shape the holiday (and also how better to cook a turkey).
Being second generation Chinese American, I did not grow up with a “traditional” Thanksgiving. Mothering in a biracial household, my image of Thanksgiving is not as clear cut. Landing somewhere in the middle is where authentic feels to me. And most importantly are the feelings my kids have about the holidays. It brought joy to my heart yesterday when my oldest expressed how excited she was for the holiday.
While I fumble my way through making Thanksgiving my own, I am reminded I don’t need to be perfect as my kids’ favorite things about the holiday are probably the same as mine – family and food.
