Boston Bar Association

Nicole J. Desharnais - Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP
 "As a child I resented my Mom's tradition that prior to any food being served, each person at the table had to talk about all of the things for which he or she was thankful in the prior year, but in retrospect it was a wonderful bonding experience and is the source of some of my fondest memories.  This will be a bittersweet year because it will be our first Thanksgiving since my father passed away in June, but it is also the first year in several years that my sister will be here with her husband and newborn son after ten years living abroad.   We are also thankful to be celebrating the holiday this year  with every member of my Mom’s extended family (over 120 people) at the 8th Quinquennial McGillicuddy Family Thanksgiving Reunion."

Lisa A. Sinclair - Northeastern University
"Everything! But, my very favorite part of the day comes early in the morning when I get up to make the dressing, prepare the turkey, and set the table, using each family member’s special contributions (many years of daughter’s and nieces’ handmade place cards).  Accompanied by a good cup of coffee and my very loyal dog (who else would be up with me at 4:30 a.m.?!), this is my private time to give thanks to those cherished in my family’s lives, past and present.  The recipes we use come from beloved relatives, now deceased, as do the beautiful amber glasses we use for our holiday toast.  In these ways, my father, aunt and uncle come back to life, joining the rest of us at the table later in the day, where we give thanks for each other, the blessings of the past year, and our anticipations for the future. I enjoy the gentle pace of the day, the annual before-dinner walk in the woods, and my mother’s sweet whipped cream on a slice of really fine pumpkin pie.  And, my husband does all of the dishes!  Family, friends, a shared meal, laughter and joy all at one table on one always special day -that's why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!"

Amy Auth – Dwyer & Collora
"My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the fact that there is no fuss around the holiday, just family, food and football.  And then turkey sandwiches the next day!"

Vanessa Peck – Goulston & Storrs
"When I was in law school, my late grandfather, Robert F. Peck, Sr. (who was a patent attorney at Polaroid for most of his career) “passed the spoon” to me when he taught me the secret – and, of course, delicious – recipe for Peck Family Gravy.  We were in Maine and it was cold outside and cozy inside, and standing by the stove with Grampy in the midst of my little rite of passage is a Thanksgiving memory that I’ll always love."

Kevin S. Prussia - WilmerHale
"Taking the opportunity to indulge in life outside of work: family and friends and food.  There are few better weekends in the year."

Steven Couch – Morrison Mahoney
"Growing up near Detroit, Michigan, Thanksgiving meant one thing: the Detroit Lions would play in their only nationally televised game of the year.  Because the Lions have long aspired to mediocrity, home games often failed to sell out, thus blacking out local television coverage.  The Thanksgiving game, however, was never blacked out -- even if the team's ownership had to buy up the last of the tickets.  Each Thanksgiving, three generations of my family would gather around the television and watch the football game as we caught up with one another.  Every few years, the Lions would win a game against a much stronger opponent.  This year, the Patriots travel to Detroit for the game and, although I will not be traveling to Michigan, I'll be hoping for another Thanksgiving Day upset.  (And if it happens, I will be as shocked as anyone else in town.)"

Mary Lee - Law Office of Mary K. Y. Lee
"My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the collision of collective cheerful spirits!"

Scott Sebastian – Robinson & Cole
"Family, Food, and Football"

Douglas R. Tillberg - Griesinger, Tighe & Maffei
"Family dinner and pumpkin pie"