I'm not the best in the kitchen, but if someone gives me

In the words of Emily Wickersham: “I’m not the best in the kitchen, but if someone gives me something to do, I can do it. I’m a good teammate. Come Thanksgiving time, I kind of just do what my mom tells me to.” Though spoken with humility, these words carry wisdom that stretches beyond the walls of the home and the fragrance of holiday meals. They remind us of the nobility of service, the strength of cooperation, and the power of family bonds. For greatness is not only found in mastery, but also in the willingness to support others, to labor faithfully in the tasks given, and to honor the guidance of those who came before.

The ancients often taught that harmony is the foundation of every household and every city. One may not be the best in all things, but to be a willing worker, a faithful helper, is to make the whole stronger. The kitchen on Thanksgiving becomes more than a place of food—it becomes a battlefield of coordination, where each person has a role, and where success is found in unity rather than individual brilliance. To accept instruction from one’s mother, to follow rather than lead, is not weakness but wisdom, for it honors tradition and ensures the feast is made whole.

Consider the story of the Roman legions, whose strength did not lie in the might of a single soldier but in their perfect cooperation. Each man held his place, each obeyed the command, and together they moved as one body, conquering empires. Even the humblest legionary, though not the best warrior, became indispensable through loyalty and teamwork. So too in the kitchen and in family life—when each accepts their role and contributes faithfully, the result is victory, whether in war or in the preparation of a feast.

Wickersham’s words also remind us of humility before elders. To let her mom guide her during Thanksgiving is more than obedience; it is an act of reverence for tradition and family wisdom. The parent becomes the general, the keeper of recipes and customs, while the child becomes the eager soldier, executing tasks that sustain the greater whole. Through this, the continuity of family is preserved, as each generation learns by doing, learns by serving, and one day will take their turn at leading.

Yet there is also beauty in her admission of not being the best. For perfection is not required to be valuable. Life is not only about mastery, but about presence, effort, and heart. A person who says, “Give me something to do, and I will do it,” offers a spirit of generosity and service that is often worth more than talent alone. Many a feast, many a project, many a family gathering has been saved not by brilliance, but by teamwork—by those who stepped forward and said, “I will help, I will stand beside you.”

The lesson is clear: greatness is not found only in leading, but in serving. To be a teammate is as noble as to be a leader, for every leader is powerless without the faithfulness of those who support. In the kitchen, in the family, in the workplace, and in the world, success belongs not to the solitary hero, but to the community that labors together.

Practical action is simple yet profound: when you gather with family, do not seek to shine as the star, but ask how you may help. Follow the wisdom of your elders, respect the traditions handed down, and take joy in serving rather than being served. If you are not skilled, do not withdraw—offer your hands, your heart, and your presence. For it is better to be a willing helper than an idle observer.

Thus, Wickersham’s words remind us of an ancient truth: that service, humility, and teamwork are the hidden ingredients of every feast and every success. The warmth of Thanksgiving is not only in the food, but in the unity of those who prepare it. And the truest measure of a family is not found in who is best, but in how all stand together—each playing their part, each honoring the other, and each finding joy in the harmony of the whole.