Posts Tagged "Thanksgiving"

Giving Thanks

Posted by cafebebemama on Nov 25, 2010 in Motherhood | 3 comments

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.

Thanksgiving Time

Posted by cafebebemama on Nov 25, 2009 in American Mum Me | 12 comments

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving 2004

I’m sharing a few images from Thanksgiving’s past…the top photo was last year when, for the first time since 2004, I was present with my husband and daughter, for Thanksgiving in the US.  The bottom photo was the last Thanksgiving I spent in the US before coming abroad to eventually meet my husband in 2005.  My Grandfather, Dale, is sat with his side to the camera.  This picture was taken in the early years of his Alzheimer’s which would eventually claim him in 2008, two days before his 85th birthday.

I’ve become a bit emotional, suddenly realising that it’s nearly Thanksgiving in America.  You see, living here in the UK as I have done for the last 4+ years, you tend to forget those classically, singularly American holidays like Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July…understandably so!  I don’t imagine the English relish honouring two holidays which represent American freedom from the oppressor…England.

Thanksgiving for me was always a very special holiday.  Not for presents or special events.  Thanksgiving isn’t about that.  It’s about family.  Coming together, sometimes once a year in many families cases, for a meal and to share a day together.  The majority of Thanksgiving centres around the meal.  Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweetcorn, cranberry sauce, rolls, pumpkin pie and of course every family’s individual takes on the holiday: Deviled Eggs, Green Bean Casserole, Apple Pie in our. household.  Occasionally we would go around the table and say what we were thankful for.  So, in honour of American Thanksgiving, celebrated tomorrow, November 26, here is what I am thankful for:

• I’m thankful that I have found the love of my life and am living a very happy, healthy and fulfilling life in England.
• I’m thankful that we have an amazingly gorgeous daughter who makes our lives better and filled with laughter and joy.
• I’m thankful that my daughter, my husband and I are healthy and well (knock on wood).
• I’m thankful for my family in England who have welcomed me with open arms and make being 4000 miles away from my family easier.
• I’m thankful for my family all over the US…you all are LOVELY and I miss you a lot, especially on days like Thanksgiving.
• I’m thankful that although our finances are seriously limited, we can afford to have me stay at home and raise our daughter to be a stellar member of English and American society.
• I’m thankful for the generosity of friends and family who have made this year such a happy and fulfilling one.
• I’m thankful that my Grandfather is now in heaven and no longer suffers…I’m thankful that my memories of him are ones that are happy and joyful and not of him when he was no longer Grandpa.
• I’m thankful that I found blogging so I can share these thoughts and release some of the emotions that build up at times like this.

So, Happy Thanksgiving America!  I’ll think of you tomorrow, starting your turkeys in the oven at 8am and basting and basting throughout the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and sitting down at 1pm to glorious meals and beautiful tables.  Raise a glass for me in England…

Happy Thanksgiving America!