Spending Thanksgiving away from home this year was a very strange experience. Not only was I not at my Nana's house with my whole family like I am every year, but I am in a country where the holiday doesn't even exist! There was nothing special about that day; it was just a normal Thursday here in Lima. This was an interesting thing to experience, because in the States, Thanksgiving is such an important day!
Because there are almost 40 other exchange students currently living in Lima through Rotary, and 16 of us are American, we decided to organize a Rotary Thanksgiving dinner. It was held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and all of the exchange students brought a traditional dish from their country (with the Americans bringing traditional Thanksgiving food). It was one of the best dinners I have ever had. Not only was there some good, homestyle American food that I've been craving for months, there was also a plethora of dishes from all around the world! All sorts of casseroles with every type of meat and vegetables, salads, cakes, pies, etc. Some of my friends from Belgium even brought Ratatouille (which was delicous)! It was also just a fun night. Spending Thanksgiving dinner with over 30 of my new best friends from all around the globe-- how many people can say they've done that?! I have become so close with the other exchange students living here, and spending that night with them reminded me how thankful I really am. I wasn't with my real family, but I still felt as though I was with family. These guys have become my second family, and I am so grateful for them.
Even though I spent Thanksgiving with my new family, I was a bit sad to be thousands of miles away from my real family. I wanted my family to remember that even though I wasn't with them that night, I was still thinking of them, so I typed up a short toast to have my dad read at the table. This is what I wrote:
Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and think about all of the things that you're thankful for, and even though I'm not at home today, I almost feel as though I am. I may not be having some big Thanksgiving dinner feast with lemonjello tonight, or watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on Nana's couch while eating cinnamon bread, but the core idea of thanksgiving is still with me.
The past few days, I've been thinking a lot about what I'm thankful for, and this year I have more than ever. But as I was making a mental list, one concept kept reoccurring: family. At the core of almost everything that I am thankful for, I've found you all. I have always known the importance of a loving, supportive family but I never fully understood it until I came here. I am 16 years old and having amazing experiences that most people NEVER get a chance to have in their lifetime, let alone at such a young age. Not only am I physically able to do this because of all you have given me, but I am emotionally stable enough to live in a life without my family, my friends, my house, my language. I am 100% out of my comfort zone. But I am okay with that, because of the way I have been raised. You all have taught me how to be my own person, how to make good life choices, and how to be happy. I have been given enough love throughout these past 16 years to last me a lifetime. Without you, I would not be able to accomplish nearly all I feel I have accomplished during these past 4 months.
Although I can't be there tonight, I want you all to know how thankful I truly am for each and every one of you. Happy Thanksgiving, my wonderful family :) Cheers!
I am so thankful for my family, my friends, Rotary, this wonderful experience, and everything else in my life. Happy belated Thanksgiving :)
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