But that wasn't surprising, because she also hated Easter, birthdays, and weddings. In short, she hated all holidays and celebrations. She thought her aunts hugged her too much; her uncles laughed too loudly; her little cousins made too much noise; and the older cousins were boring.
Angie's mother and father loved big family celebrations, especially Thanksgiving. Every year the Neilsons invited all their relatives for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, with turkey and sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie for dessert.
One Thanksgiving, Angie's mother invited a girl named Emma to join them.
"Mom, why did you invite that girl Emma? I don't know her. We already have twenty-five guests!" Angie said.
"Yes, but she's very nice and she doesn't have anywhere to celebrate Thanksgiving."
"Why doesn't she celebrate with her family?"
"She doesn't have any family," Angie's mother explained. "Her parents were killed in a car accident."
"That's so sad," said Angie. "You mean she has no one to watch the fireworks with her on Independence Day? No one to watch the Thanksgiving parade with?"
"No. Nobody."
"I guess I should be more thankful for our family gatherings. I'll make sure Emma has a wonderful time this Thanksgiving."