The landscape of everything, including how we celebrate holidays, radically changed when Covid-19 reared its ugly head in 2020. Multiple events were canceled because of imposed quarantines: families could not even get together for holiday dinners. Thankfully, as 2023 approaches, that's changed. We can now meet in person rather than share encounters through Zoom.

But fans of live concerts, films, and theater performances may still opt to view entertainment choices from their homes. I always love seeing live shows. From a young age, my wonderful parents frequently took my brother, sisters, and me to New York City acts. There's nothing like Broadway. I've been to shows in other cities, including London, but the magic of Manhattan cannot be duplicated. It's a shame that Times Square has taken such a hit and is still recovering from the impact of Covid.

Things are still not exactly the way they were. But there is one constant--family and friends. And I believe it's the same for celebrities. Reading gossip about stars and how they lived (the byproduct of a kid's imagination), I learned they are not that much different from you or me, except for their net worth. Superstars have the same challenges as mere mortals--whether it be confidence, health, work, or family problems, you name it. Fractured people are fractured people, whether they have money and live in the public eye or not.

It is encouraging when huge celebs take time to think about or uplift others--which makes them more relatable. A Buzzfeed article revealed that Friends Jennifer Aniston always makes a 'Friendsgiving' meal the day before Thanksgiving. That's a great idea for the actress to host an event that transgresses from the traditional dinner. Her friend Oprah has maintained the ritual of inviting some students from her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa to a Thanksgiving meal shared by her partner Stedman Graham and her. Winfrey wrote on her Instagram simply, "Dinner Finally! Our house to South Africa to your House...blessings."

Other celebs were quoted in the piece about how they have spent their recent Thanksgiving holidays. Comedian Amy Schumer wistfully wished you  "Thanksgiving dreams" from a 2015 celebration with fellow actors Jennifer Lawrence and Aziz Ansari. And actor Joaquin Phoenix has it right. He shared, "I have, like, an orphan Thanksgiving, just a few friends that don't have any family came over." Great that he remembers friends may be alone. Many people don't have that capacity. 

A Thanksgiving tradition I keep up with is watching Macy's Thanksgiving Parade from wherever I happen to be. This year the parade, sponsored by Macy's, has headliner and singer extraordinaire Mariah Carey opening the show. The legendary Gloria Estefan will join Mariah. Both women have been superstars for decades(remember Carey's "Emotions" and Estefan's "Rhythm is Gonna Get You"). The show starts Thursday, November 24 on ABC and CBS at 12noonET and 9amPT. 

Be grateful for your blessings--because there is always someone worse off. Happy Holidays!