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    The story behind the Thanksgiving photo

    •November 21, 2012
    • Many years ago, as a community relations manager for a large insurance company, one of my more pleasant company tasks was to invite kids from a downtown homeless shelter for an annual special event. ... I was just loading up my camera with film (remember those days?), so I could shoot some photos of the event to send out to the news media. A moment before, the dining room had been empty. In the nearby hallway, our employees were joining with the kids for a sing-along of holiday music.  Then, when I looked through the lens, there she was suddenly sitting alone at the table. She was wearing her very best dress, and her eyes were raised heavenward as if in her own private prayer of thanks.  The little girl was obviously waiting for the turkey and all the trimmings to be served. However, to me she was an angelic vision who fit in exactly right for the spirit of Thanksgiving.  – Ted Sherman
    • My younger brother showed up [for Thanksgiving dinner in 2001] and, right off the bat, there was an uncomfortable silence between us, and an underlying animosity of past dealings hovering over us.  Someone told us they wanted to take a picture of me and my brother together and we begrudgingly obliged. On a lark, my brother grabbed one of my mom's cherished tea cozies and placed it on his head like a hat. I instantly followed with a tea cozy of my own in the shape of a chicken.  The picture was taken with a round of laughter from the rest of the family; it has sparked laughter every year since, when the picture takes a nostalgic Thanksgiving trip around the social media train to all my relatives.  The most important part of this Thanksgiving story was that small gesture of family camaraderie. The photo reset the tone of the evening between me and my younger brother. We stay in constant contact now and look forward to seeing each other every holiday season.  – Brian Armstrong
    • Prior to enjoying our Thanksgiving meal in 2011, we each took a moment to express gratitude for a special blessing that has greatly impacted [our lives].  That year, my 7-year-old daughter became tearful and refused to take part in our yearly tradition. [Since] the empty seat at the table--my husband's--was profoundly affecting her, Gianna was allowed to skip her turn. ... While tucking her in bed that evening, I explained that firemen can't always be home on special days with the people they love most. As much as she was missing him, he was missing her, too. I reminded her that he was a very special hero who saves lives and was needed by many others. As we cuddled, she fell asleep with her eyes still damp from the tears she cried.  The following morning, my exhausted husband finally arrived home. He took a quick shower and upon exiting the bathroom, he was greeted by a beautiful little girl dressed in his bunkers. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "I'm thankful that you're a hero. I love you."  –Tanya Pulido
    • Having lived in America all of my life, I am used to relatives gathering this special day in November to eat turkey and smell pumpkin pie. In 2011, I learned that Thanksgiving is special because of the relatives and not the meal.  When I first met my wife, who is originally from Indonesia, her nieces and nephews were like a fun foreign college fraternity as they were attending school at Georgia State University. ... I was sad when they graduated and had to move back home. Last year, when the opportunity arose to travel to Indonesia, I was so happy to see them again. Life with these relatives was good once more. ... This holiday was in our hearts, yet this nation had no concept of this celebration and turkey was nonexistent.  Our Thanksgiving meal is pictured at a restaurant in Jakarta that served stuff I cannot name. I discovered the true meaning of Thanksgiving is not where you are but being with people you love.  – Bill Harbin, Jr.
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    The story behind the Thanksgiving photo

    Prior to enjoying our Thanksgiving meal in 2011, we each took a moment to express gratitude for a special blessing that has greatly impacted [our lives]. That year, my 7-year-old daughter became tearful and refused to take part in our yearly tradition. [Since] the empty seat at the table--my husband's--was profoundly affecting her, Gianna was allowed to skip her turn. ... While tucking her in bed that evening, I explained that firemen can't always be home on special days with the people they love most. As much as she was missing him, he was missing her, too. I reminded her that he was a very special hero who saves lives and was needed by many others. As we cuddled, she fell asleep with her eyes still damp from the tears she cried. The following morning, my exhausted husband finally arrived home. He took a quick shower and upon exiting the bathroom, he was greeted by a beautiful little girl dressed in his bunkers. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "I'm thankful that you're a hero. I love you." –Tanya Pulido

    Every photo has a story, and on this Thanksgiving, Yahoo!

    News asked readers to share one photo, and the story behind it, that holds

    meaning for them.