I learned a lot from my colleagues who live in the rural communities. Here are some stories they shared about their Thanksgiving holiday.
“FAMILY and FOOD are priority! We eat food and spend time together. It means traditions. TRADITIONS are big in my family. It means having a good time and being thankful for one another. If my family wasn’t there, it would be friends. The focus is on getting together with those I love.” Holli
“My family which consists of about 25 of us, ranging from siblings to nieces and nephews, their children, and spouses. We gather at my sister house; everyone brings a dish to pass. We take turns saying what we are grateful for, after grace. We play board games; some take naps after eating and watch a football game.”
Donna
“Nothing too exciting….my family gets together at my parents’ house, and we eat the typical Thanksgiving meal. We are boring …. with noise and chaos.”
Christine
“We always eat too much and watch football. Simple, but always enjoyable.”
Catrina
“Well, in my family we have five guys that all fight over the turkey skin. That is funny to watch! Also, we watch Buffalo Bills football with my kids.”
Jessica
“My family members and my boyfriend will go out hunting in the morning if the weather permits. My sister in law’s family do a ‘Thanksgiving Eve’ and have a big slumber party the night before Thanksgiving and then wake up the next day and begin making Thanksgiving dinner! I’ve always thought that was neat and fun, they get excited about it … like it’s Christmas eve!”
Makenzie
“My family is definitely rural where I grew up. 10 houses in the town! Thanksgiving tradition in my family was Dad going hunting in the early morning after the farm chores were done. My mom would bake the pies with the children helping by making or eating the apple slices. Mom would make us pie crust cookies with the left-over pie crust (sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar). The youngest siblings would be put to work making the butter for the dinner with a churn. After dinner it was onto evening chores and then football on TV or playing a very long game of monopoly!”
Michelle
“Ha! I raise my own turkeys, have them ‘processed,’ and then enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. Additionally, we use potatoes, carrots, etc. from our garden! Truly a Thanksgiving meal!”
Eric
Well, there you have it, a distinct culture with many traditions common to all!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Deborah LaBounty
Clinician IV, Wyoming County Counseling Center
Editor’s Note: To some people, it can just be another Thursday if you’re without friends or family close at hand or heart. In Buffalo, Buffalo City Mission, ,Family Promise of WNY, Response to Love Center, and St. Luke’s’ Mission of Mercy open their doors to people in need and to people who want to volunteer. If you’re in need of counseling or support, Spectrum Health has someone at the other end of the phone for you, too.
