I woke up Thanksgiving morning face down on the floor. No blanket, no pillow, because the pillow was at my feet. It took me a few seconds to realize I wasn’t at home. I was at my friends house, I slept over for the night, well… actually, a good part of the morning. From two thirty am to ten o’clock. The multicolored gymnastics mat I slept on was stained from the maple cupcake I smudged on it earlier, and my pillow had somehow traveled from under my head to next to my foot. The sweater I was wearing as the substitute for my blanket came half off my arm and I somehow managed to have one sock on. I rubbed my eyes, and dramatically reached for my phone. I slowly rolled over onto my stomach to check the time. Ten thirty. I softly dropped my phone on the ground and rolled onto my back again, staring up at the ceiling, fighting hard with my mind to stay awake. I decided after about fifteen minutes of fighting my brain to not go back to sleep, I sat up, rubbed my eyes again, yawned, and forced myself onto my feet. The sunlight washed over my face as I stood up, filling me with happiness and the sudden realization that it was Turkey Day at last. I took a few steps toward the pile of clothing that had been dumped out of my bag the previous night, and fished for something to wear. I was only awake enough to change from filthy, grey, Michigan sweatpants, into slightly less worn black leggings. By then my friend was awake and almost dressed. I had to get out of her house as quick as possible, I needed to get home for dinner, even though it was eleven, I was too excited. I hopped on the 6 train at twenty eighth street, then on the F at broadway lafayette, and took that all the way to Smith street in Carroll Gardens. I ran out of the subway, the yellow, fluffy, pom pom threatening to fly off my hat, turned the corner and sprinted to my building. When I got upstairs, my face was wind burnt and I was completely out of breath. I was greeted by my dad at the door, his smiling face made me even happier to be home, and more excited to eat dinner. Trevor even managed to give me a quick greeting before he hit me with the ipad his face was glued to. He only says hi to me on special occasions, so I knew tonight was already going to be great.

 

I didn’t talk much at dinner. Talking wastes time, I had to eat as much food as possible without anyone noticing. It could also waste the necessary breathes I needed to survive while inhaling food for an hour. Turkey Day is the day I look forward to all year. It lives up to my high expectations every time. I love Thanksgiving.

-Alexa Moskowitz