When the term “Thanksgiving” is mentioned, everyone likely has an image in their mind representing what the day means to them. Some may visualize a huge spread of food laid out on the kitchen counter. Others may picture a rowdy living room, filled with passionate sports fans. When I hear “Thanksgiving," I think of a family, gathered in a circle, with hands clasped and heads bowed. They are in the kitchen, and besides the occasional cry from one of the tiny great-grandchildren, there is only one sound; the eldest man, the patriarch, leading the family in prayer. This was the Agan family’s Thanksgiving; upwards of thirty people, anxiously waiting to eat as my grandfather led us in an “Our Father." 

Family is the core value of the Thanksgiving holiday for most Americans. I am no different. This holiday, my family still formed our circle and said our prayer; but for the past three years, it has felt different. The first Thanksgiving after my grandfather passed, I was distressed; the circle was complete, yet my grandfather wasn’t a part of it. Not physically, at least. Although I don’t have my grandfather right in front of me to joke with about the copious amounts of food we were prepared to eat on Thanksgiving anymore, I still feel him in the kitchen when we pray. I see him sitting at the head of the table during dinner. Although I am incredibly biased, I truly don’t believe there was a better name to attach to Notre Dame’s Turkey Day 5K than “Bob Agan."

This year, I was surrounded by about fifteen members of my family and more than 400 others at the Turkey Day 5K. It was a great turnout, and the event seemed to be totally successful. I was honored to volunteer there and see all of the families run together. Mrs. Redder and everyone else who contributed to organizing the race this year did an amazing job. It is so important that we have events like those to remind us of the importance of family and friends. The Turkey Day 5K certainly enhances the Thanksgiving experience. 

The time has come around again for Crusader Christmas! Kicking off on December 1st, the Notre Dame students and faculty will start collecting food, clothes, and toys for the less fortunate families in our community. More details are to come but buckle up for the best time of the year. Christmas is the season of giving, so let's continue the tradition!