Thanksgiving: my busiest time of year

As a full-time graduate student, my schedule is pretty full throughout the semester. Add to that a 34-hour week with my work study job, a substitute teaching gig, my business with Celebrating Home, and being a copy editor for the U-News, and it’s hard to find any spare time at all.

You might think, therefore, that the time surrounding Thanksgiving, when teachers are more lenient with assignments and we even get a week off from classes, would be a time when I can actually get a break. You would be wrong.

This time of year is my busiest, because I love to cook and bake for my family and friends. From basting the turkey, to perfecting the stuffing, to creating an original-looking pumpkin cheesecake, I do it all.

Don’t get me wrong – the rest of the family contributes quite well. But no matter how many pies I’ve made or how many loaves of bread are still baking, there always seems to be more to do. I bring cookies to classes, make pies for parties, and lovingly create side dishes to accompany someone’s main dish. I’m even planning a feast for the U-News editors.

You may think this is all superfluous – that I should just stop doing it if it’s too much work. But therein lies the rub. No matter how much work it is, how much time it takes, or how many pans I dirty, it’s worth it. The look on someone’s face when they try their first bite of my key lime pie, my dreamy fudge, or my snickerdoodles – it’s priceless. It’s the most wonderful feeling to know that I made someone smile just with a taste of something delicious.

So as you leave to join your family in celebration of the things for which you’re thankful, don’t forget to include the food. Someone’s time, effort and love went into that glaze for the ham, or that batch of no-bake cookies. Thanking them, even just with the “mmm” your throat hums with the first bite, is the best gift they’ll receive.

mheiman@unews.com