This year for Thanksgiving I was geographically farther away from actual family than I ever had been. However my connection in some ways was stronger than ever. The actual distance apart has actually in some ways caused more intentional, thoughtful interaction than ever. I spoke with several different family members over the course of the week perhaps as much as if I had been home. And as family things go, learned of some of the difficulties of my paternal grandmother and the joys of youth of my niece and other life things in between.
With my immediate family Julian and I participated in two different Thanksgiving feasts which had different elements of family from the expatriate community here. We had the Football Thanksgiving and then the following day the thoughtful, respectful dinner with colleagues--really in some ways an extended family. Even a prayer was offered prior to eating, probably the most inclusive prayer of every religion or belief ever uttered that I can ever recall.
All of this reminded me of family and friends that I have encountered in all of the variety of experiences (Winter/Roberts Family, Oakland Family, College Friends family, Cleveland Family, Nashville Family, Manhattan, KS and K-State family) and those "family" members who do or have offered support, challenge, love, give back, question, instill thought... ultimately individuals who work to get to know you as an individual and learn about your other "family" members and the layers of your life. I appreciate those individuals despite the distance and appreciate those family members close to me who continue to question, support, challenge, instill thought and love.
With my immediate family Julian and I participated in two different Thanksgiving feasts which had different elements of family from the expatriate community here. We had the Football Thanksgiving and then the following day the thoughtful, respectful dinner with colleagues--really in some ways an extended family. Even a prayer was offered prior to eating, probably the most inclusive prayer of every religion or belief ever uttered that I can ever recall.
All of this reminded me of family and friends that I have encountered in all of the variety of experiences (Winter/Roberts Family, Oakland Family, College Friends family, Cleveland Family, Nashville Family, Manhattan, KS and K-State family) and those "family" members who do or have offered support, challenge, love, give back, question, instill thought... ultimately individuals who work to get to know you as an individual and learn about your other "family" members and the layers of your life. I appreciate those individuals despite the distance and appreciate those family members close to me who continue to question, support, challenge, instill thought and love.
