ATLANTA — Thanksgiving looks a lot different for families this year during the pandemic.
Channel 2′s Lauren Davis talked to one woman who made the tough decision to stay home alone this year.
It’s a hard time for Teja Veal.
Veal is a musician who travels all year, but always goes home to Miami for Thanksgiving to see her whole family.
This year, she had to Facetime her family instead of being there in person. Veal said it wasn’t the same.
“It feels totally weird not having everyone together,” Veal said.
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Veal said she was worried about having to go through two airports -- Atlanta and Miami - and didn’t want to risk it. Her sister is pregnant and her grandparents are over 80. Veal said she didn’t want to chance getting them sick. She’s also the music director at her church and didn’t want to have to quarantine when she got home.
Still, the decision wasn’t an easy one.
“On the holidays, you look forward to vacation,” Veal said. “You look forward to going home to be around people you love. Especially when you live far away. It’s my support system.”
Her mom in Miami is also missing her daughter.
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“My mom teared up a little bit. She’s trying to be strong for me,” Veal said. “But she’s pretty sad. I talked to her this morning and she’s pretty down.”
Veal decided to try to make Thanksgiving special for herself anyway. She cooked her own dinner for one person, complete with a single serving of sweet potato souffle, baked chicken and greens.
In the meantime, she is looking forward to next year.
“Next year, I just want everyone to be healthy and to live like we’re accustomed,” Veal said.
