Arnetta McKenna, Psy.D., a Coordinator in YAI's Residential Department in Long Island, recalls some Thanksgiving memories.

As the days get shorter and weather gets cooler, my thoughts shift to the upcoming holiday season. I'm looking forward to the joy and excitement that this time of year brings while also reflecting back on fond holiday memories. Thanksgiving, in particular, has always been one of my favorite holidays. As a young girl, I remember going to sleep the night before Thanksgiving and anticipating the wonderful meal that my mother prepared.

As I slept, I could smell all sorts of seasonings and aromas traveling up to my room. I recently realized that my mother would stay up all night cooking. The following morning, my brother and I would rise and find that the table had been set, pies and cookies had been baked and a truly delicious meal awaited us. In the eyes of a child, it was like magic.

When I started working as a Direct Service Professional (DSP) nearly 22 years ago, it was important to me to create some of that magic for the residents with whom I worked in a group home. Many of them had moved into the residence from institutions and had little family participation. They did not go to visit family on Thanksgiving and remained in the residence for the holidays. I felt fortunate to have such wonderful holiday traditions in my family and I felt moved to help make Thanksgiving special for the consumers.

So as a DSP, I would make a Thanksgiving meal for the residents. I enlisted my mother's help and we baked pies and cookies from scratch. I made macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and of course turkey and gravy. If I was scheduled to work on Thanksgiving, the residents helped prepare some of the food and I joined them for the meal. If not, I prepared the meal and brought it to the home. They enjoyed it and it warmed my heart to see them creating new holiday traditions and memories of their own.