What makes Thanksgiving: the Turkey or the sides?

So... it's the question of the season: what makes Thanksgiving for you? The delectable, luscious, salty turkey? Or candied yams with caramel sauce and red potatoes drenched in butter and thyme? Yes, my friends, that is the question.

You may have never asked yourself this question. But, it is a logical question. What makes Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving? Some may dress up in pilgrim and Indian costumes... some may go out to dinner for Thanksgiving to avoid the mess of post-eating clean up. Some have the traditional dinner and watch football the rest of the day... mingled with games and maybe a movie. But, the highlight of all of these situations is one thing: food. Am I right, or am I right?

Personally, my allegiance lies with our "five-fingered-friend." (If you don't know what I'm talking about, go back to 2nd grade, place your hand on a piece of paper and trace your hand... then put a head on your thumb... add a beak... then color your fingers in red, yellow and orange. Voila. You have a five-fingered-friend: a turkey.) I believe from a good turkey all Thanksgiving flows. Norman Rockwell didn’t spend all that time painting pans of sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce, did he? No. He painted turkeys.

Personally, I have never cooked a turkey. I hear there is an art to it... and a million different ways to paint that canvas. I think I will wait til I am married to tackle that bear. (Let's see how many analogies I can fit into a paragraph. PS: who tackles bears? Ash, where do you get this stuff?)

Until then, I will enjoy watching my mother stuff a turkey with whole oranges, onions and lemons; getting full on my grandmother's yam and apple recipe; gorge on fresh veggies; reflect on Thanksgivings past; see a movie at the theatre with my fam; spend as much time as I can with my little sister before she leaves on her mission and maybe watch a little football with my papa.