Traditions, Holidays, and Birth

Every year around Thanksgiving I start to think about the holidays.  I think about the common things like what to cook, who will visit, what is the best dining room seating dynamic, etc.  Then I start to think about the purpose behind the holiday.  Thanksgiving is to give thanks.  What am I thankful for? Why do we celebrate the way we do? I try to ponder the purpose of the celebration.