Giving Thanks

Nov 25, 2010 by cafebebemama

It’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving. The time of year when all Americans living outside of America tend to feel more than a bit homesick. The time of year when you miss bizarre things like stuffing, candied yams, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. The time of year when you wish you could watch a good old (American) football game on the telly after eating way too much. The time of year when family come from far and near to be together for no other reason than to be together. There are no presents (unless you count food or drink). It’s family time plain and simple. And it’s everyone’s time to think about giving thanks.

When I was young, we always spent Thanksgiving with my Dad’s parents. In Wisconsin, deer hunting falls in the weeks before and after Thanksgiving. It’s usually only a two week season and is quite popular. My Grandpa, Dad and brother all went deer hunting, including on Thanksgiving. My family always treated it a bit differently though. My Grandpa, in particular, enjoyed deer hunting more for the opportunity to sit outside and enjoy nature. They weren’t in it for the glory of the “hunt”; they did it to spend time together.

We would travel the very short distance to my grandparent’s farm on Wednesday evening, sleep over and then enjoy the Thanksgiving day as a family. My Grandma ruled in the kitchen and always turned out a delightful meal. As I didn’t like pumpkin pie (what a sin!), she always made a second pie, apple, for me. We would enjoy that meal (eaten in 1/3 the time that it took to make it) and then retire to the living room to claim couches, chairs and sections of floor to loosen our belts and watch a football game. At some point around 5-6pm, we’d all decided we were hungry again and would have cold selections from what we had just devoured hours prior. It was wonderful.

One year, someone in our family suggested that we go around the table and share what we were grateful for. I’ll use this post for my thanks giving this year.

• I’m thankful that I have a husband who loves me, a daughter who’s healthy and delightful and a home that is warm and full of love.
• I’m thankful that in this economy that my husband has a job which keeps our home warm and full of love even if it does stress him out ridiculously.
• I’m thankful that I have found my own place in this world with blogging and writing which allows me to fulfill childhood dreams.
• I’m thankful for my friend Sabina and her family who have brightened my days and helped me to come out of my reclusive hole that I dug for myself.
• I’m thankful that my parents are healthy and vital and that we have Skype so they can see their granddaughter grow and change.
• I’m thankful that I still have my grandmothers on this earth even though I haven’t seen either of them for a year and neither of them are as healthy as they used to be.
• I’m thankful for some of the amazing friends I have made through writing and blogging. They have given me a sense of belonging in this country that I was yearning for.
• I’m thankful that I’m finally going to sort out my health issues and am looking forward to 2011 and feeling much better.
• I’m thankful for the opportunities I have had to visit places I never would have and receive things for our family that never would have been affordable to us.
• I’m thankful for my inlaws who are so supportive of me and their son and have given so much of themselves and their time to be an active part of Little Miss’ life.
• I’m thankful for my life in an amazing country and the freedom to fulfill my dreams.

Today I’m giving thanks for an amazing year, wonderful family and great opportunities. We may not have roast turkey and stuffing and all the trimmings but we have each other and that’s all that matters. Happy Thanksgiving to my English friends and family, my American friends and family and everyone who has tuned in to Cafe Bebe this year.