Happy Thanksgiving

My Thanksgiving a year ago was spent in a Chinese Pizza Hut.  I traveled two hours by bus with the three other American teachers in Guiyang, China to get there after work.  But darn it, we were going to have American food on Thanksgiving whether it was easy or not!


I sat with my three new friends whom I'd only met months earlier, but were now my family.  At least for the sake of this day.

Note the little boy in blue staring

Let me clarify, China was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.  I chose it, and I'm completely happy and grateful that I chose it.  But that doesn't mean it wasn't difficult.

For Thanksgiving last year, I decided I would veer away from the pizza I usually got when we traveled to Pizza Hut (pepperoni, the only familiar one--and didn't have wasabi on it).  The mashed potatoes seemed Thanksgiving-y enough.  Since those are an "American" thing they didn't really have them anywhere else in China.  And we had issues accessing things like butter, milk, salt and even potatoes, so it was hard to make our own.  I didn't really trust the fresh produce much anyways, since there were always tons of unidentified bugs flying all around the produce section.

Now, a year later, as we approach Thanksgiving again, I'm in awe thinking about how completely simple my life is.

I left my house this morning and didn't have to worry about whether or not I had a piece of paper with me with the Chinese characters stating my address in case I got lost.  I saw an ambulance drive past, clean and shiny, and remembered how many injured people I saw on the streets in China.  And how grossed out I was on the rare occasion that I did see one of their yellow ambulances.  As I crossed the road, I knew I could trust the drivers to actually obey the red lights.

I walked into Publix and knew exactly which aisle to pick for the mayo.  I read the words on the signs, and could even read and understand what was written on the mayo jar.  I grabbed what I wanted, knowing I could afford it, and walked up to check out.

No one was staring at me.  No one was following me.  I didn't need to ask for help from anyone.

As the lady scanned my items she made small conversation with me.  "Did you find everything you were looking for?"

My brain nearly exploded with gratitude.  A year ago, not only would I have been grateful to be capable of physically speaking with someone other than the same three teachers I'd been with for months, but she was trying to be helpful.  I knew that if there was an ingredient I couldn't find, she'd be able to help me.  And further, she'd be able to simply speak to me to help.  I wouldn't have to resort to silly forms of charades to explain "milk" (that was a funny China story)(and no, we didn't find the cream).

"Yes."  I replied.  The bag guy asked, "Would you like this all in one bag?"  As I replied yes I was even more thankful.  Simple being able to converse with people is such a blessing that I realize a lot now.  I wonder if other people realize what a gift that is.

I grabbed my bag and headed home.  Grateful that I don't have to worry about whether this food will make me sick.  Grateful for a safe place to live.  Grateful for simple transportation. Grateful for my independence.  Grateful for my job, my life, money, friends, family, communication, religion, comfort, safety, health, peace, simplicity, and all that I'm blessed with.

I'm thankful for the country I live in.  I'm thankful for the opportunities that lie ahead of me.  I'm thankful for support from my friends and family.  I'm thankful for knowledge that I have.

The intangible things that I have are worth more than the tangible.  I'm more thankful for them.  And I hope my life will always be that way.