As distanced as some of our holidays have become from their original meanings, Thanksgiving is one of the few that has stayed true to its source, and it’s important to not forget the values at its core.

Since its inception, Thanksgiving has revolved around gathering together with family and friends and being thankful for those close to us. Though some things have changed, (for instance, the original food eaten by settlers was pork, not turkey) for the most part, things have stayed true to the original ideals, which is camaraderie and thanksgiving. And that’s important.

Many holidays have been changed, shifting from religious to often being defined by traits not included in the original holiday. For instance, the Christmas tree was originally a part of the pagan winter solstice, which took place on December 21^st, and wasn’t a part of Christmas at all. And let’s be honest; painting and hiding eggs around your yard has, sorry, absolutely nothing to do with Easter.

Many civic holidays are seen, especially by students, as nothing but a quick reprieve from the flood of schoolwork and stress, a chance to catch one’s breath before being swept back into the maelstrom.

But the values of Thanksgiving are harder to gloss over. The whole point of the holiday has largely remained unchanged, and are so focused around family that it’s tough to treat it like any other holiday. And that’s good; even – no, especially – in the tumultuous lives of teenagers, it’s important to remember to be thankful for those close to us, and all that they do for us.

So in the coming weeks, don’t treat Thanksgiving as any other holiday; make an effort to thank and be thankful for your family and close friends. You never know when it could be your last chance to do it.