Thanksgiving takes on a new meaning for some students at Sandpoint High School, as the holiday marks a bittersweet occasion to celebrate with family.

“Thanksgiving is important to me because my Grandma has stage four Ovarian Cancer and she’s had it for three years now,” Senior Emma Dreier said.

“You can tell she’s coming to the end of her life [so] it’s important to me because it’s the last time I’m going to get to spend with her this year, is what I’m assuming,” Dreier said.

For many families, Thanksgiving is a time to come together and celebrate what they’re thankful for, Dreier’s family is no exception.

“My family lives in a bunch of different areas so we hardly see each other and just to spend time together and talk and catch up is really important to my family,” Dreier said.

“It just feels special because it’s the last time I’ll really get to do that in my grandparents house with my Grandmother.”

Dreier’s family serves as an important reminder this holiday season to be thankful for family and friends and appreciative of the time we get to spend together.