Thanksgiving

American Thanksgiving.  It's a holiday that I find difficult to express.  Many of my Canadian friends say, "There is just something different about American Thanksgiving...isn't there?  What do you think it is?"  I always find it hard to answer that question.  Is it the fact that it comes with perfect timing, the end of November when everyone is anticipating Christmas and in need of a holiday fix and a little break from work?  Is it because of the way it is organized, where most families can enjoy four days of joyful, thankful bliss together rather than one simple Monday?  Is it because Americans just seem to make everything bigger?  I'm not really sure...the one thing I am certain of is that this is the one holiday that I always very much miss every year.  I don't think it will matter how long I live in Canada, Thanksgiving will never really feel like Thanksgiving in October, and every November I will crave my family and our traditions of seven layer salad, sweet potato casserole, and numerous relatives falling asleep in the chairs to the background music of the football game on the television. 

I have been blessed though.  I never miss it.  From my first year here, I have always had the opportunity to celebrate American Thanksgiving, thanks to my wonderful friends and family up here.  The first year that I lived here I was particularly sad when that day came along.  I was working-which seemed so very, very wrong at the time-and I was missing my family.  That night, Kev said we were invited over by some friends.  We made our way to my friend Nancy's house and on the door was a sign that said "Happy Thanksgiving!"  I'm getting tears in my eyes thinking about it again, even though it was over seven years ago!  I walked inside to find...Thanksgiving!  She and our friend Max had created an American Thanksgiving dinner, just for me.  It was then that I realized...I didn't have to miss it, it just might look a little different.

Every year after that we have celebrated American Thanksgiving in some way.  Most of the years I have put on a dinner, and we invite various friends over to celebrate the occasion.  I always enjoy sharing that part of my heritage with my friends up here, and hey, they know what Thanksgiving is all about anyway! 

This year I was sad, I really didn't think it was going to happen. Between being pregnant, exhausted, working full time and other commitments, I was thinking that this was the first year I was going to fail.  I was going to really miss it, but had accepted the fact.  Then, my friend Seren came along.  She knows this tradition and knows how much it means to me.  She said, "Are you doing Thanksgiving this year?"  I explained to her why it probably wouldn't happen and then she gave me the greatest surprise.  She said, "I want to do the dinner for you."  She is enjoying her first maternity leave and is loving the life of being home with her daughter.  She also happens to be one of the sweetest people I know, and is always looking for ways to give into the lives of others.  She said it was on...we would be celebrating American Thanksgiving Dinner...just one day late!

Friday night we got the full meal deal.  Serenity put special thought into what should be included in the meal, including things such as sweet potato casserole, and it was amazing.  She thoughtfully invited two other families with American roots as well, as well as my dear friend Ange, and the night was just...wonderful!  I can't really think of any other way to express it!  The food was delicious, but it was more than that.  The group just melded and laughed and joked and loved life.  Rusty was a dream and devoured his turkey, stuffing and sweet potato casserole.  The boy knows how to celebrate Thanksgiving!

The best part of it all was just being in that environment, surrounded by friends that are family and all of that laughter and joy.  I am truly thankful.

The sweet baby girl-or maybe it is her toy!-is the centre of attention!

My boys wait for the delicious food.

Turkey!  YUM!  (Or as Rusty said, "Turkey!  YES!")

Sweet Miracle Baby...look at those cheeks!

My Seren, the hostess that did it all, with her beautiful daughter!

I love my boys!  Look at those smiles, no wonder my days are so great!

Me and some of my girls, Seren and Ange...so blessed to have them in my life!