The First Thanksgiving (Hoang Dinh)

There are a few “first time” in life so important that you could never forget. The first time you visit a city, first time seeing your parents who you haven’t seen for so long or like Sarah Vowell’s first Thanksgiving. Though different from what the title sounds like, it is still one memorable holiday which she has never expected, being a host to invite her family and relatives to gather at her house in New York City for the very first time, to celebrate Thanksgiving with her. She sent out the invitation and didn’t think that they would come, but the unexpected happened. Throughout the story, I found it was odd that even though they are a family, they couldn’t think of anything to talk. They used to go to the movie so that they don’t have to make a proper conversation and everyone in the family found their own things to do on Thanksgiving, leaving Sarah behind with all the cooking which to her, is harder than to die. In the end, they gathered in the Empire State Building, enjoying a view of the city that never sleep. All of a sudden she thought, “My sister wishes she were home. My mom and dad wish they were home. I wish they were home too.” It’s not that she hated them, otherwise she wouldn’t sent the invitation in the first place. She just felt awkward that they don’t have anything to share and talk like every other family. But in general, no matter how old you are or whatever you do, home is always a place that you can count on. That’s what I believe in.