Otterbein Students: What I’m Thankful For

Posted Nov 23, 2021

By Bridget Oder ’23

At first glance, Thanksgiving looks like a table full of food. The mashed potatoes are glistening with butter, and the turkey is golden brown. If you look deeper, you see a family, gathered around the table, ready to enjoy the feast — but it’s more than just that. It is being able to be together again, face-to-face.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what life gives you. Even though holidays can be stressful, people are looking forward to this year to reconnect and be together with family after being apart due to COVID-19. People are enjoying the small moments and making it a point to slow down and just be present with family and friends. For many, the pandemic has opened up the realization of how important it is to spend quality time with their loved ones.

Some students took the time to share what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving.

  • Kailey Mishler
    “I am thankful that I get to spend more time with my extended family that I don’t usually see often.” Kailey Mishler ’24, Journalism and Public Relations double major
  • Nathan Boyd
    “I am thankful for having better quality food and having less to worry about compared to normal.” Nathan Boyd ’23, Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Tasia Lauth
    “For Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family and friends who have been there for me through my rough times.” Tasia Lauth ’23, Early Childhood Education
  • Annie Howell
    “One thing I am thankful for is that now COVID is starting to slow down I get to see all of my family again and not worry as much about the virus and just enjoy each other’s times.” Annie Howell ’22, Public Relations
  • Collin Croft
    “I am thankful for my family, those who are still here, and those who have passed on.” Collin Croft ’23. Allied Health
  • Amanda Troyer
    “Around Thanksgiving I am thankful for the family that I have and everything that they do for me.” Amanda Troyer ’25, undeclared