Thanksgiving 2017
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love that there's nothing in particular to do but spend time with those I love around a table full of food that I love.
For the last several years we have hosted Thanksgiving dinner for our international friends (here are the posts from 2013, 2014, and 2016), introducing them to this famous American tradition and creating our own traditions. In France you have to order a turkey several weeks in advance, and it costs a fortune. But it's worth it. This year, we noticed some frozen turkeys at the grocery store and started thinking that perhaps it would be possible to celebrate Thanksgiving after all. But just the 3 of us?!
When Jordan and I decided to move to Lesvos for 2 months, we knew that it meant we'd be missing Thanksgiving with our family as we'd originally anticipated for this year. I distinctly remember saying to Jordan, "I know this is what we should do; I want to do it, but that doesn't mean that I won't be sad on Thanksgiving Day." Earlier this week I reminded him of that conversation as I got a little weepy, feeling the loneliness of life here in Lesvos.
Well, I can now tell you that, though Thanksgiving in Lesvos will not go down as one of my most favorite Thanksgivings, it was a sweet day for our family nonetheless.
We enjoyed a nice family drive around the island, looking for some fall-colored leaves. We wandered together through a small village, sipped hot chocolate, and ate grilled cheese sandwiches at a little café where we met a French-speaking Greek man. We took naps and rested, and then we ate a traditional Thanksgiving meal with [most of] the other volunteers (including hot apple cider, pumpkin and pecan pie!).
There is always much to be thankful for, but this year we are reminded of all of the little blessings that we often take for granted - a warm, dry home; food that we choose and prepare ourselves; plenty of diapers and wipes for our son; good health; family unity; a stable government; finances. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
We hope that you, too, had a happy Thanksgiving!
For the last several years we have hosted Thanksgiving dinner for our international friends (here are the posts from 2013, 2014, and 2016), introducing them to this famous American tradition and creating our own traditions. In France you have to order a turkey several weeks in advance, and it costs a fortune. But it's worth it. This year, we noticed some frozen turkeys at the grocery store and started thinking that perhaps it would be possible to celebrate Thanksgiving after all. But just the 3 of us?!
Well, I can now tell you that, though Thanksgiving in Lesvos will not go down as one of my most favorite Thanksgivings, it was a sweet day for our family nonetheless.
We enjoyed a nice family drive around the island, looking for some fall-colored leaves. We wandered together through a small village, sipped hot chocolate, and ate grilled cheese sandwiches at a little café where we met a French-speaking Greek man. We took naps and rested, and then we ate a traditional Thanksgiving meal with [most of] the other volunteers (including hot apple cider, pumpkin and pecan pie!).
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| Judah's first Thanksgiving feast. Verdict: He liked the turkey and bread and pomegranate seeds best - oh, and the pumpkin pie! |
There is always much to be thankful for, but this year we are reminded of all of the little blessings that we often take for granted - a warm, dry home; food that we choose and prepare ourselves; plenty of diapers and wipes for our son; good health; family unity; a stable government; finances. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
We hope that you, too, had a happy Thanksgiving!
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