Thanksgiving means many different things to many different people, but one of the most universal themes of the day is family togetherness.

One such family exemplifies this theme of bonding every year. Members of the Dickerson family travel from all over to Talladega for a chance to spend the quality time together that they miss throughout the rest of the year.

More than 25 family members spanning four generations gather every year at the home of Maxine Beck for the holidays. Her mother is the family matriarch Virginia Dickerson.

At 84, Dickerson remains as enthusiastic as ever in welcoming her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

“I’m just thankful to have the family together for so many years,” she said.

The family and spouses have gathered together for as many years as Beck remembers. Besides the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, the family relishes the time together, which in itself is their greatest tradition.

“It’s a time to be thankful for friends and family to be able to spend that time here, especially now with the economy so bad. But we still get together, and it’s not always easy since some of them have to travel here,” said Dickerson’s daughter, Deborah Chatman.

The family enjoys reminiscing about growing up together and raising their own children. Stories are swapped among the adults. The children enjoy the chance to play together at this time every year.

The family also uses Thanksgiving to start preparing for Christmas. They put up the tree and draw names for presents.

One of the family’s most cherished holiday traditions is that of praying together as a family, not just for themselves but for others. Beck said she will pray for the war to end and the soldiers to return home as soon as possible.

Her son, Torrance Beck, served 15 months in Iraq and is now stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. He calls his family at every holiday.

Her other son, Albert Beck, says the blessing every year. A tradition he inherited from his father.

Of course, one of the biggest traditions of any Thanksgiving is the meal, and this house is no exception. Everyone is bringing their own specialty to the table, and with so many guests, it’s assured that this will be no small feast.

On the menu is a freshly-smoked turkey by Beck’s brother K.D. Dickerson. This is his annual tradition. Chatman will serve her own collard greens and red velvet cake. Another sister, Teresa Swain, will add to the deserts with her pound cake.

Dickerson’s grandchildren also bring their annual additions to the table, such as pasta and potato salads.

Virginia Dickerson continues to join her children in putting food on the table with ham, dressing and custards.

“My specialty is getting K.D. to smoke the turkey,” joked Beck.

The food doesn’t stop there. After dinner at the Beck house, the family will caravan to Dickerson’s home for a second family dinner. This one Dickerson proudly prepares herself.

Beck recalled that several years ago she attempted to make her own macaroni and cheese dish, a family favorite. She called the result “a disaster.” Her sister Melody Dickerson has since brought her since own version of the dish to the table, and will do so again this year.

Luckily, other than that the annual tradition has remained free of mishaps, but the botched mac and cheese did give the family something to giggle about.

Because it’s such a big meal, Beck had to start calling family around three weeks ago to coordinate the dishes everyone would bring and make preparations. It took her all day to prepare the tables.

Beck has made up these tables with antique dishes. These settings are more than 25 years old and taken out strictly for such holiday gatherings. An American flag accompanies the Bible at the table’s head.

While the main table is set in the dining room, two children’s tables are situated in the breakfast room and den. The children are always thrilled to have their own “dining halls” for themselves.

The youngest family member is Aaron Beck, who turns two years old on Thanksgiving Day. Beck said his celebration will continue on Friday.

“He’s going to get a long weekend,” she said.

For the family, this birthday is one more day to celebrate, but it’s far from being the last. They all look forward to being together on Christmas, but for this family, any occasion to be together is a holiday in itself.