It’s crazy to think that tomorrow is Thanksgiving for all of
our family and for us it’s just Thursday. Not only is it a work and school day
but Jamie is in a long day of training and we have Patrick’s parent teacher
conference in the evening so it’s a busy one. Last year at this time we had
only been here a few months and were headed to Disneyland Thanksgiving morning
so missing the holiday didn’t seem like a big deal. This year as I hear endless
stories about ways to prepare turkey on NPR’s podcasts I’m starting to feel
homesick about not being there with everyone. I really try not to dwell on what
we may be missing but one of the things that does make me sad about living so
far away is that the kids aren’t spending these holidays with their cousins. I
talk to my Mom and hear about AJ and Emma playing or about how busy Edgar is
right now, I wish Kellen and Ella had more of a connection with those guys. To
get in the spirit of Thanksgiving I made the full dinner last Sunday and then
this Saturday we’re getting together with other expat friends and having the
full Thanksgiving experience. But since this is the time of giving thanks it
has made me more reflective of the things I am thankful for over the last year
so here are a few that come to mind.
1.
I’m thankful for cheap long distance packages.
If I couldn’t talk to my Mom regularly (almost daily) it would be miserable.
2.
I’m thankful I got my UK drivers licence. Not
only was it hard to get but it’s nice to take my US license out of my wallet
and store it in a drawer it makes me feel less like a visitor.
3.
I’m thankful the kids have settled in so well.
4.
I’m thankful I know where to run my errands.
There were a lot of wasted trips over the last year…
5.
I’m thankful for Patrick’s braces being covered
by the NHS.
6.
I’m thankful we’ve had the chance to travel. I
think the pure joy of food stands will forever stick with the boys whether we
are indulging in gelato, waffles, crepes or fries.
7.
I’m thankful that Jamie and I are happy here together.
Talking to others who had relocated we were warned that a big change like this
either brings you together or pulls you apart. There is no one I’d rather be
having this adventure with.
I could go on and on as I have so many things to be thankful
for.
To all of our friend and family Happy Thanksgiving! I will
be thinking of you all tomorrow as you watch football and eat your way through
the day.
Hope your thanksgiving weekend went well. I know how you feel - I remember my first St Patrick's day when I lived in London - although the pubs like to promote it, it's not the same as having a day off! And I know what you mean about knowing where to run errands too - we've been here in Toronto for about 18 months now and not knowing where to go to get what can be really frustrating in the early days!
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