By Carter James, Editor in chief  

Holiday season starts Nov 1. It’s just what we’re used to at this point. The stores are already decked out with trimmings and trees. Car commercials are starting to take place at the same nice house with the same driveway. The most annoying person you know was starting to set their tree up late at night on Halloween.  Wish lists. Songs. Themed food. Store catalogues. Month-long black Friday deals. The climate can barely allow for fall weather in November and yet we’re all pining for the 12 days of Christmas.  

I understand corporate America seeing the need to push their mass-produced products out in enough time for them to be bought for the holidays. I don’t understand why we must fall in line with them. I yearn for the time of cheer, fellowship, giving and having a nearly month long break from Montevallo that come with the December holidays, but Thanksgiving still exists between Halloween and Christmas. 

Having a holiday where you dress up and eat candy is great. Having a holiday where you give gifts to loved ones spend time with them is amazing. There is a true meaning of Christmas,and it has never been lost on me. Thanksgiving may be the holiday where you just eat food and have arguments with extended family, but there is more meaning there if you allow for it.  

There are legitimate sentiments for not liking Thanksgiving. It is a holiday built on the foundation of America’s ontologically immoral treatment of Native Americans. Many students are bracing themselves for endless political arguments and passive aggressive inquiries from extended family members. But there is always something to be thankful for and that’s what I get out of Thanksgiving.  

This has been a tough semester and even tougher November. Thanksgiving break is the week (because no one really shows up on Monday and Tuesday we’re in class) where we have a moment of reset. For a moment, we can forget that stressful class. The intensity of extra circular activates. The final that is out to destroy us. Any drama with your fellow students. Those few days, you’re allowed to breathe again.  

I look forward to that break. A moment where I sink myself into my hobbies. Get a full night’s rest. Catch the latest films in theaters. Do that important thing I’ve been putting off forever because the weekly grind turns my brain into mush. And most importantly, eat myself into a food coma on the titular day.  

 I don’t know about you and your family, but I eat some amazing food during Thanksgiving. There is no other time of the year where mac and cheese tastes that good. The stores set out the good dinner rolls. And the Thanksgiving classics always hit the right spot. Good food will restore any soul. 

And it’s not just about the food. Waking up and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is always a treat. Those gargantuan floats. The phenomenal marching bands that perform. Also, those random musical theatre performances. If there’s something to be proud about being an American, the parade gives you that.  

I don’t usually watch Football but I do enjoy watching the Iron Bowl and catching bits and pieces of whichever NFL teams will be playing on the actual day. Plus, cable TV has some real banger movies playing during the holiday.  

I’ve listed off traditions that make Thanksgiving special but it does not make the holiday. With that time of rest before the home stretch of the semester, reflecting on why you’re thankful is always important. 

You’ve made it. Despite how you feel now and how you’re going to feel during finals, you’ve made it.  

Freshman, you’ve nearly survived your first semester of college and have made great experiences you never expected you’d have. Seniors, we’re near the end but we’ve made every lastmoment count this semester. Rest on your laurels, because the hard work is paying off. To everyone in between, keep on keeping on. You’re doing great and you’ll find your way along the path of hard work.  

While we all want to deck the halls as soon as possible, take value in the fact that Thanksgiving is there as an in-between holiday. This is the time to breathe. This is the time to reflect. This is the time to rest. This is the time eat wonderful food. This is the time to thank those who have helped you along the way.