The Season of Thanks
The holiday season is hands-down my favorite time of year - this coming from someone who detests cold weather and lack of daylight. For a six week period the cold and darkness don't matter when the streets become aglow with twinkling festive lights, and people stop to think and reflect on the year they are about to leave behind.
For Americans, the season kicks off with giving thanks. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Who doesn't love a holiday dedicated to black Friday shopping deals family/friends, food and thankfulness. It's a non-religious holiday that everyone gets to participate it. Something amazing happens when you're gathered around a table with people who you love and you stop to think about what it is that you are grateful for.
This year I get to have my cake and eat it too. Last night I held my 2nd (annual) Thanksgiving for my colleagues, and this week I head to the US to celebrate with my family and see my friends. I had 20 colleagues this year, making it the most elaborate dinner party I've held in my 30 years.
I battled Tom the turkey during the day, and am pleased to report the second turkey I've cooked in my life was a succss, which I consider a huge feat considering the size of my tiny Dutch oven...
It was an amazing night, thanks to the help and support of the group. One of my weaknesses is that I don't always ask for help. Well, actually, I never ask for help. I don't want to burden anyone with my problems when people have so many of their own. But the older I get, the more I realize there is no shame is asking for it. (I can see people who have been telling me that for years rolling their eyes as they read this!)
Anyway, I'm truly thankful for finally coming to that conclusion, because there's no way I could have pulled off last night alone! From lending tables and chairs, to cooking a second turkey, and many amazing other sides to helping clean up, I have nothing but gratitude for this amazing group of colleagues. We all made last night happen!
We counted there were 9 nationalities at the table: French, Italian, Dutch, American, Turkish, Mexican, Latvian, Belgian, South African. How amazing is that? Like last year, I instituted the traditional Thanksgiving game of "say what you're thankful for," to which I was again met with looks of skepticism and horror. I'm pleased to share that by the end of dinner, everyone had [happily?] shared :-) It's one of those moments living abroad where cultural differences really shine through.
The menu was plentiful, the stories hilarious (what comes out at the Thanksgiving table, stays at the Thanksgiving table!), and the company fantastic.
And this sweet bunch even got me a few amazing gifts as a thank you for hosting:
So, what am I thankful for this year? Besides my new Thanksgiving TOMS?
There's a play I saw a few years ago in NY called "Love, Loss and What I wore," based on the book by the same title. Over the course of 90 minutes four ladies of all different ages recall the highlights and lowlights of their lives up until the current moment, and of course, what they were wearing at the time.
Why mention this? Because I feel like I could write my own version of the play based on this year alone. The truth is, this year was really tough - deaths in the family that will forever leave a void, extremely challenging moments at work, failed relationships, and all the crazy effects stress has on the body.
But this year was also amazing at the same time. I celebrated my 30th birthday (about 5 times in 4 different countries), deepend friendships here in Amsterdam with people who I would now consider family, traveled to - I can't even count how many - new countries/cities, got to go the US 8 times in 12 months to see family and friends (a little nuts on that one!), received so many of my wonderful friends here in Amsterdam, got to celebrate the weddings of close friends and the births of friends' children, and - did I mention - I am still living the amazing city of Amsterdam!!!
You might still be asking...what is it that you're thankful for? I guess when I really think about, it's all of the above. The good and the bad. The bad makes us stronger, the good makes us smile as we work hard to overcome the bad.
While I wouldn't wish any of the bad things I've experienced this year on anyone, I do hope this holiday season people take time to do a little reflection of their own. Only then do you realize what it is you are grateful for.
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season!
