Cousins, Charcuterie, and a Maryland Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, our family gathered in Maryland for a cousins’ reunion that felt both timeless and new. It was one of those days where laughter bounced off every wall, traditions quietly guided the rhythm, and everyone slipped into familiar roles—yet found fresh ways to show up for one another.

The day started in the kitchen, where cousins moved around each other in a sort of dance. Some chopped, some stirred, some taste-tested a little too enthusiastically. The kids clustered at a drawing table nearby, heads bent over turkeys, leaves, and wild imaginative creatures, happily occupied but never far from the action. In the other room, the men watched football, the hum of the game a steady backdrop. Yes, we fell into traditional roles, but the support ran deeper: uncles doing dishes, cousins entertaining kids, everyone quietly carrying a piece of the day.

By afternoon, the island turned into a work of art. We kicked things off with a charcuterie board so full it felt like its own feast: cheeses and crackers, chutneys and marmalades immaculately paired and thoughtfully arranged. It was the kind of spread that made you slow down, pick carefully, and savor.

While the evening meal came together, the kids headed to the theater room for Zootopia, their own little cinematic escape. Meanwhile, we took advantage of the Sub-Zero temperatures outside and turned the outdoors into an extra fridge, tucking pans and dishes onto the porch like a carefully managed cold storage.

Dinner was where the day truly came together. The table was dressed in rich autumn colors—burnt oranges, deep reds, and golds that matched the season outside. The menu stretched from vegan dishes to turkey and nearly everything in between, a quiet testament to how our family has grown, changed, and made space for everyone’s choices.

Under each plate was a card with a playful “this or that” question and a prompt to share something we were thankful for. It was simple, but it nudged us into conversation that went beyond the usual small talk: gratitude, memories, hopes for the year ahead.

My cousin had gone all out—down to the tiniest detail—to make this a memorable Thanksgiving. And she did. It was a day stitched together with food, tradition, thoughtfulness, and the kind of easy togetherness that makes you realize how lucky you are, right in the middle of family and season.