See that beyond-cute turkey in the pic? It sits on my Thanksgiving table every year since Ian made it in kindergarten. It brings me such joy.
Thanksgiving has always been about family, food and those little moments that stay with you forever. I can still see my dad carving the turkey with those big Russian hands of his, showing me exactly how it should be done.
My mom made the turkey every year until she couldn’t anymore. Two weeks before she was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2017, we recorded her teaching me her whole process. Her voice and her smile in that video mean everything to me.
Technology has crept into Thanksgiving, but instead of replacing memories, it helps me hold on to them and bring the past into the present.
My iPhone 17 Pro Max
When I was young, a quarter for a pay phone was your lifeline. Dad always made sure I had one. Today my iPhone does all of that and more. It is my camera, my way to check in with family far away, my digital brain that keeps me organized.
Smart speakers
My Aunt Patty was the entertainer of the family. Part comedian, part Patsy Cline impersonator, and she could sing “Crazy” like a pro. Now Alexa or Apple fills in with music, jokes and trivia. It is not Aunt Patty, but sometimes it brings her right back into the room.
Cloud storage
The videos of my mom are safe and waiting for me in the cloud. Any time I want to hear her voice or watch her smile, I tap and she’s there. It’s my heart.
AI tools
They help me get my work done faster and cleaner, so I am not chained to a computer all day. They buy me time back. Time to be with my family. Time for my friends. Time for me to take care of myself and get my workouts in. When tech gives you more life instead of taking from it, that’s something to be grateful for.
And this one is not tech at all
Every Thanksgiving, I pull out my Ukrainian grandmother’s old aluminum roasting pan for her stuffing recipe. She would stash bread and rolls in the freezer all year for that stuffing. When I hold that pan, she is right there with me. Some traditions never change.
I want to say two important things.
If you’re spending Thanksgiving solo this year, I want you to know, you’re not forgotten. This day is about gratitude, and sometimes the quiet moments give us the clearest view of what really matters. Whether you’re taking a walk, watching your favorite movie or treating yourself to a peaceful meal, remember: Your presence in the world is a gift. You’re not alone in feeling alone today, and you are deeply valued. 🧡
And thank you to everyone working today. Doctors, nurses, EMTs, firefighters, police, military, restaurant staff, grocery workers, delivery drivers, pilots, flight attendants, transportation workers, utility crews and all the IT people who keep the world running. You make this day possible for the rest of us, and I am so very grateful.
What about you? What tech or non-tech things are you thankful for this year? I would love to hear your stories. Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.