I’m in a strange place when it comes to Thanksgiving, an awkward sort of betwixt and between. It’s a holiday that doesn’t quite fit – a slipper one half size too small, a sock with an intrusive seam. Not that I don’t like the holiday – who could complain about turkey and mashed potatoes and dressing and cranberries and a day off work to spend time with family being thankful for stuff?
My problem is born of being a Canadian in a foreign land.
Yes, my US friends, although I have lived now in your country for nigh on eighteen years, many of your ways are still foreign unto me. Your Thanksgiving holiday is just one of those things.
Yes, Canada also has Thanksgiving, and in many ways it is much the same holiday – turkey, feasting, family, taking time to give thanks. But it happens in October.
You know what’s awesome about this?
It happens in October. This means a nice space of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Time to recover from the stuffing of the first feast and be hungry for the second. More time to get ready for Christmas. The holiday season in Canada felt a little more spacious and forgiving to me, a little less rushed and chaotic. Of course, I was younger then. There was not quite so much going on.
For years after we moved across the border we observed both holidays. Of course there was no convenient day off work and school for Canadian Thanksgiving, but we aimed for the nearest weekend and enjoyed our October feast. And then feasted again in November. By the time Christmas rolled around in December, the idea of yet another turkey dinner was not quite so appealing.
A couple of years ago, I let Canadian Thanksgiving quietly slip away. I still miss it though – there’s an emptiness in my Octobers now that wants to be filled.
The good thing about all of this is that, no matter what time of year Thanksgiving happens to roll around – or even if you live in one of those countries where (gasp) Thanksgiving isn’t observed at all – there’s always a great deal for which to be thankful. We tend to forget gratitude, I think, in the rush and flurry of our lives. It’s good to have this reminder, a day literally set aside for the purpose to remember to give thanks.
So what am I thankful for?
Today, as I’m writing this, I’m thinking of the small things. The Viking sitting at the table beside me muttering over bills. The deer out in my yard at the corn feeder. My cat, basking contentedly in the warmth of the wood stove. The mystical way fog hangs over the hill and moves trees in and out of focus. The grace of a healthy body and the absence of pain. On Monday, when this is posted, I will be heading back to work after medical leave. There will be stress involved in this process, I’m sure, but I will carry the small gifts with me like a talisman in my pocket.
Tell us one thing you are thankful for today – anything large or small
I think it goes without saying, Deb Kerry, that WE are thankful for your healthy body and that absence of pain ad to know you are heading back to work.
So much to celebrate. Wishing you and yours the very warmest of holidays, my dear.
Thank you Erika! Now I feel even more loved. Warm wishes heading back in your direction. 🙂
Aside from the usual–a loving family, a roof over my head, food to eat–I’m also very grateful for the wonderful online writing community. I’ve made so many like-minded (okay, somewhat crazy) friends, who’ve been terrifically supportive through this whole wacky process of going from unpubbed to pubbed. 🙂
I hear that! I can’t imagine getting through this whole publishing thing without the amazing support of my online peeps. Actually – I don’t think there ever would have been a publishing contract without them.
Thankful that you are healthy and able to head back to work. Thankful that you had a happy end to this particular chapter in your life. Thankful for family and friends and friends who are family. Wishing you a wonderful and an as-stress-free-as-possible return to work today.
Hey Mary – speaking of friends who are family – it is always awesome to hear from my one and only sister! I almost just wished you a happy Thanksgiving, lol. Forgot which side of the border you were on. I know. Anathema
Oh, we do the American Thanksgiving thing every year too. I’m married to a guy who is American at heart, so we honor his beloved country with a turkey, so the wish would not have been amiss. I also remember a wee tradition of wishing your dad merry christmas or happy easter or something on his birthday, so it would have felt like home 🙂 Hugs my sister, can’t wait to read your book and am so thrilled you’re back on your feet.
I know it’s a cliche, but I am so thankful for my family, who have supported me throughout this writing journey — and through everything else as well! I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without them. And I’m very thankful that I and those I care about — including you, Deb Kerry — have their health!!
Here’s to family support, which is amazing, and health as well. Thanks Dana
I am thankful that you’re healthy, Kerry!!
And I thankful that I decided to buy desserts instead of bake them!
Thanks Amy. Also – hurray for buying desserts, or anything else that makes more writing time!
I am thankful for so many thing, including my online friends , and yes, that you. are better.
John – I am thankful for you. For your ongoing optimism and support, and your beautiful creative mind. Thanks for the good wishes.
I am thankful for all of my Debutante friends – and especially for the fact that you’re doing well Kerry! I’m also thankful that I get to come to the Ball each Monday and start my week with your posts – which I love!