The Richardsons

Video #29

"Today is Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. The one time of the year where you can eat whatever you want and enjoy the company of your family coming from all over. Most of my family lives here in Massachusetts, some are farther than others. Aunts and uncles live north and east of New Bedford. I like Thanksgiving because everybody can get together for one day and catch up."

Tbanksgiving means a lot to my family. Most of us are busy with a job and/or a family that we don't have much time to contact each other. It's kind of sad to think about it. But, every year, we have our thanksgiving traditions.

Thanksgiving is always held at the Autumn House due to the size and an assortment of rooms with things to do (indoor pool, cinema, etc.) There is typically about 30 people that do Thanksgiving with us every year. Aunt Kirsten, Uncle Jeremy, and Uncle J.J help my mom with cooking, as well as the Vans. The kids run around the house or go in the pool. For Thanksgiving, we have a regular Turkey and a tofu Turkey as request of my mother and sister.

So, in total, 4 Richardsons (us), 3 Richardsons (Uncle Jeremy), Uncle Frank, Aunt Adriana and her 3 kids and husband, the Vans (4), The Harnes (4), Aunt Kirsten, Uncle Stevin and his family (4). And the grandparents, that's 29.

With that many people, you would believe that my mom would lose her cool.

Well, she was too scared to ask the family members for help at first, but when Thanksgiving was almost ruined when I was 7 because she set the Turkey on fire, the family decided to help her and have been doing Thanksgiving as a family since.

"We're all in this together" is our family quote.

We live a great life now, but before I was born, my mother and father were constantly struggling. If you told their past selves that they would be living in multiple mansions in one year, they think that you would be teasing them.

As I'm putting somewhat more effort into my hair, I think about what today will bring. My cousins swimming in the pool, board and card games with all members young and old. It all comes to mind when the first set of guests come.

Every year, it always is the same order.
Van-Azul-Uncle Jeremy-Grandma-Uncle Frank-Aunt Kirsten-Uncle Stevin- and the Harnes always arrive late.

The Harnes are infamously known for running late for the weirdest of reasons.

"The grill fell off the truck roof after we tightly tied it on."

"Manda had a bladder accident."

"I choked on one of my mother's perfumes because the scent was atrocious."

And the list goes on and on and on. Then again, they have 2 young kids, the dad is always trying to convince my dad to let them bring their grill, and the mother is literally trying to stop the chaos but in the wrongest ways possible.

They definitely are good hearted people that mean well, but they might have a singe of no luck with them sometimes. And even though they were all born and raised in Massachusetts, they seem like people that would live in the deep south. Host weekly bbq cookouts, drinking loads of sweet tea, even having a teeny bit of a southern accent as well if we listen close enough.

My favorite cousins are the Van sisters. Jordan is a freshman in college who is majoring in art and hopes to become a famous artist, either in abstract or ceramic. Sophia is a dancer, she is a master in ballet. Uncle David and Aunt Eliza are very hipster like, so they let their daughters explore their passion in art. Sophia is also the cousin who is closest in age with me, we're only about 5 months apart, so we basically grew up with each other. Jordan and Sophia are like my second set of siblings, they're more nurturing and lovable to me than Alexa. I'm not saying that Alexa is bad, she can just be hot and cold (mostly cold).

And of course, what's not Thanksgiving without food? Along with family, I love to take a bite of all of the foods there are. The one day where you can take as much food as you want and nobody would judge you. I wish everyday was like that :(. Alexa stares at me like I'm a pig, but who cares? Just let me enjoy myself today.

Jordan brought Cards Against Humanity with her and it was something else. The thing was that she kicked out whoever wasn't 17 because the box said 17 or older. So me, Sophie, the Harnes twins, and one of Uncle Jeremy's kids were kicked out of the dining room after dinner. All of the Grandparents felt bad, so they left with us along with Aunt Adriana's kids as well.

Instead of being sad that we couldn't play, we decided to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and play trivia afterwards. We played charades and two of Aunt Adriana's kids got yelled at for doing Fortnite dances by my mother's parents.

"Stop dancing like you're having an epileptic seizure!"

Most of the kids laughed at that.

After trivia and cards, we all met back in the kitchen for dessert. Most of us were stuffed, but the kids gladly devoured all of the desserts, even Cousin Sophie.

''What? i have a massive sweet tooth." She said as she filled her plate with cookies and cakes while her parents were staring at her like she just robbed their house.

Once dessert is finished, we all sit down and laugh and talk until about midnight. By then, most of the younger kids are fast asleep and even the grandparents are tired. One for one, each family leaves with a full belly and a satisfied expression on their face.

Thanksgiving is a time of giving. A time to get closer with your family. The one time of the year where everybody can sit down together and laugh together. I know not every family celebrates Thanksgiving the same way or with family members, but it is an important day for my family, always has and always will be.