We celebrated the American holiday of Thanksgiving a little
late this year, but to have a gathered around platefuls of turkey, stuffing and
mashed potatoes at all was an unexpected pleasure. We were invited to dinner by
another American couple, who put on a full Thanksgiving feast for at least 20 every
year. They invite other Americans who find themselves far from home, as well as
friends from around the globe who are curious about this food-centric holiday.
We eat turkey because this tasty bird goes perfectly with
stuffing, gravy and pumpkin pie, and ham is usually saved for Christmas or
Easter. And no, I don’t know why the President officially pardons a bird each
year…it’s frankly a little embarrassing.
In the days leading up to the dinner, I was asked many times
just what Thanksgiving was all about: Where does it come from? Who celebrates?
Do you give presents? Why turkey? You really get this holiday off from work?
What’s this ‘Black Friday’?
To answer these questions, I at first had to pause to
understand Thanksgiving for myself. Creaking open the primary school brain
cells, I recalled that it’s held in honor of the first successful harvest of
Pilgrims in what would become the U.S.A. They made it through that first year
largely because the local Native American tribes took pity on the newly arrived
idiots who weren’t prepared for the harsh weather of the New World. Everyone in
The States (and Canada too but on a different day) celebrates; the lucky few
even get 2 paid holidays off, since no real work gets done on the Friday after
Thanksgiving... Too much food and thoughts about the missed bazillion-%-off sales
at Walmart and The Gap are too distracting.
We don't exchange presents, at least not the kind you unwrap. Instead, we give the gift of ourselves to friends and family.
Yes, a football game or two may be on, but Thanksgiving is a time to just sit
and talk, reminisce and plan for the future. Usually, we also share a couple
meaningful things that we particularly are thankful for that year.
It is this last facet of Thanksgiving that is the most important
to me. For while I am thankful for the good health, well-being and general
success of my loved ones throughout the year, it is easy to be distracted by
stress and to-do lists on a daily basis. On Thanksgiving, no one looks at me
strangely when I say, “I am so thankful for your friendship” or “I am so
thankful we can spend some time together.” Instead, they simply nod, smile and share their own special gratitudes.
We learn about each other a little more deeply.
In thinking about what we have been most grateful for this
year, Pelle and I agreed that foremost, we are thankful for this opportunity
for us to live abroad. It has been an incomparable experience that has allowed
us to see and do more in one year that we have done in the last 3. A very close
second is the warm and open welcome we have received from just about every
single person we have met here. We have made lasting friendships with people
from all over the globe, all walks of life, and all ages. The commonality among
us is an eagerness to explore the world and to share our finds.
It makes me treasure the good friendships we have back at home
and anticipate the new friendships we will start after we return.
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