A gathering of loved ones, a traditional family feast, turkey day. Call it what you will, Thanksgiving is a time for America to panic. 

For example, take my Japanese-American family born and raised in Hawaii. Our goal: a simple Thanksgiving dinner with family. Motivation for panic: I've recently been re-decorating my bedroom and the contents of said bedroom are spread around the living room like thick cream cheese on a bagel; I have just returned from Los Angeles where I emptied out my storage unit and ended up spending $600 mailing things home which means more cream cheese; my "foodie chef" aunt works 9 to 5 on Thursday so my "I watch Food Network..." mom needs to soak and cook the turkey based on my aunt's instructions; my perfect long distance boyfriend of the past three months is moving in with me next month so most of the afore-mentioned metaphorical cream cheese needs to be stored away to make room for his cream cheese; if you haven't heard of Nanowrimo, Google it. That, and since my little sister can't make it on Thursday we're having an extra bonus dinner on Friday. 

Yes, it seems everything happens at once during the holidays but as you stress and slave over the stove, remember to be thankful. You stress over things you care about so be thankful you have things worth stressing about. Be thankful that you have a stove to slave over and people with which to share the fruits, turkey, and can-shaped cranberry sauce of your labor.

 Cheers! Happy Thanksgiving!