Winnipeggers grateful, excited for return of near-normal Thanksgiving gatherings
CBC
Deanna Migalski will have all of the usual fixings — turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, perogies and pumpkin pie — on her table for today's Thanksgiving Day meal.
And this year, the 49-year-old single parent is more thankful than ever to celebrate with those who mean the most to her: family.
"This year is actually the first year since COVID started … that we've been able to celebrate with our family. I'm super excited," Migalski said. "My mom is in a care home so that really impacted all of our lives because we haven't been able to see her in two years, so we are able to see her."
Not only has the COVID-19 pandemic affected Migalski's ability to see her mother as often as she'd like, it also impacted her livelihood.
A hairdresser by trade, Migalski has been laid off three times since the start of the pandemic. She's currently employed in beauty supply sales, but worries about another potential work stoppage.
"You take hairdressing thinking that this is something nobody can replace or nobody can touch, but unfortunately we've been touched three times and I'm hearing of a fourth shutdown," Migalski said. "I don't know how that's going to affect our economy, or me personally."
She popped into Food Fare on Sunday to pick the last few groceries needed for her Thanksgiving meal, while noting traffic inside bigger grocery stores was busy.
