The thirst for Thanksgiving break arises in students across the country as the semester winds down.

With finals looming, a holiday break couldn’t have come at a better time.

The holiday season has arrived and with that in mind, I’ve realized something.

Something that may sound contradicting to people my age. Especially to those folks who like to blast Christmas music on November 1st.

I’ve begun to cherish Thanksgiving more than Christmas. I say this because it’s a holiday where the idea of family and faith are truly intertwined.

It is also a day where we all can reminisce on the year and become thankful for what has happened to us over the year.

It has also given me the chance to be occupied on a holiday. I am never bored on Thanksgiving due to watching football every year. It feels great to watch the Steelers this year!!!

Thanksgiving has also become the bigger holiday in my family because our family dinner gets bigger every year.

We always go to my Aunt Theresa and Uncle Jim’s house where there are over 30 people there every year. I get to see Uncle Jim who is from my dad’s side the family, the Curry’s. I also get to see my Aunt Theresa’s family, which is always nice to see them.

My cousins are now either bringing their significant others or having children of their own.

As a part of the younger generation, we are now making our parents proud of our personal achievements in work, school, and athletics. Thanksgiving allows us younger people be thankful those who believed in us - our parents and relatives.

My recent achievement is organizing a collection for a charity we do every year.

We also do a collection drive every year for the Second Brigade Motorcycle Club’s Welcome Home charity for homeless veterans. We collect jackets, new socks and underwear, personal hygiene products.

From something that started as a community service project for school, it has now become a family tradition. A tradition that has made my family come together even more.

Our first year doing it was in 2014 and the total we reached was over 30 coats. Everyone then pointed their attention to me and thanked me for bringing everyone together which made the collection successful.

This tradition has made me feel like I am giving back to the community during the special time of year. It is also a way for me to give back to our veterans as they discharge from their duties and adjust back to civilian life.

Our contributions have made an impact on their lives. Our veterans, es

pecially the homeless don’t get the recognition and care they deserve, especially during the holiday season. I wish more people took the time to think about those who made our freedoms possible.

This cause hits home for as a member of a military family. Our family received so much love and support when my father fought in the Iraq War 12 years ago. Being a part of the charity is my way of giving back and helping other veterans.

These things have made Thanksgiving more meaningful to me than Christmas. However, this is not to say that I don’t enjoy Christmas and its festivities.

I feel that I’ve outgrown Christmas as I got older recently. To me, it has become more of a children’s holiday.

Yes, I will admit that I used to look forward to Christmas more than Thanksgiving when I was a kid.

I feel that this period of my life as a 20-year old, single college student, Christmas is just another holiday to celebrate with family and a reason for having a month off from school.

I will say that if I was dating someone now, Christmas would have some meaning. From what I’ve noticed from my peers in my age group, Christmas is a couple’s holiday.

From social media posts with “Longwood Gardens” tagged as the location, it validates my current perception of Christmas. Hearing songs like "Blue Christmas" or "All I Want for Christmas is You" also feed into it.

It's become more fun for either kids or couples in my eyes. I just somehow don't feel the spirit as I used too when I was a kid.

Obviously, as I get older, my

perception will change because I'll be either dating someone and eventually getting my future children pumped for what Santa Claus will leave for them on Christmas morning.

Since I just stay at home with my immediate family every year now, it has become a laid-back type of day.

I'm now starting to appreciate the quietness of being home on Christmas. By staying home on Christmas can also allow me to be available to work. I am hoping that I will get the overtime hours!

The holiday season overall can be summed up by this phrase: “family, one of God's masterpieces.”

While looking at family pictures at Aunt Theresa and Uncle Jim’s house last year, this saying is on their stairwell as you walk down to the Irish pub and home theater system in the basement.

While reading, it hit a nerve inside me. As someone who was adopted, it taught me to never take family for granted.

That quote has defined how I view the holiday season, specifically Thanksgiving to me. It has made me fully appreciate and be very thankful that I have one of God’s greatest creations in my life.

A masterpiece that everyone should be thankful for during this holiday season and every day onward.

You’ll never know when the masterpiece will end its display.