I would say I have much to be thankful for. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I feel a lot of people just pass on over it. Yes, they do have the traditional Thanksgiving feast, but they start celebrating Christmas way before, and I feel they forget Thanksgiving is important too.
I admit I am one of the people who hates seeing Christmas decor way before Thanksgiving is even here, and I can not stand Christmas music until after Thanksgiving is over. I do love Christmas, but I feel like we should just take it one holiday at a time.
I have not been home in 6 years for Thanksgiving, and I realize that family plays an important role in this holiday too. Thanksgiving is the time to be grateful for what you have. I spent a lot of my Thanksgivings growing up in ElPaso with my grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins, etc. In fact, that is where my parents are going once again for this holiday.
I remember playing with my cousins and eating some yummy appetizers Brenna would make. My favorite food was the cranberry sauce, and I loved it when we mixed ginger ale with cranberry juice.
My first Thanksgiving away from home was in 2008. I spent it with my brother Eric at my Aunt and Uncles house in Vernal, Utah. It was fun and different, but not what I was use to.
In 2009, I no longer had siblings near by, and so my parents got me a ticket to go to Washington. Once again it was different not having my immediate family, but I enjoyed being with cousins, aunts, and uncles and of course my other grandparents. Little did I know at this point it would be the last time I would see my Grandpa Matthews.
The following year, in 2010, I really came to an understanding of Thanksgiving. I was in the MTC (missionary training center) and this time had no family. I had a rough time in the MTC and became homesick. I could not call my family, and I remember crying a little. I sat down and really reflected on what I was thankful for. I wrote a note to myself reminding me to never forget what this holiday is about.
I spent the next Thanksgiving in Cottbus, Germany (2011). This was different since Thanksgiving is not a German holiday. In October, Christmas markets start coming out, and everyone is getting ready for Christmas. I was fine with this and loved every minute of getting to know and fall more in love the the German culture and traditions. I still wanted to make an effort to remember Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving day was busy, and my companion and I bought ourselves McDonald s and Döners to celebrate at the end of the day. We both expressed our gratitude and had our late night dinner.
Last year, I spent Thanksgiving in Rexburg. On Thanksgiving Day I went to my Bishop's house and ate with his family. It was a fun, relaxing break.
This year I will be with Glenn's family in Montana. Though I don't know them all very well, I am thankful for them and for raising a wonderful, hardworking son, who is strong in the gospel.
I look forward to the day I can spend Thanksgiving at home again. I do miss my family, and the missing happens more on the holidays. I am grateful I can fly home and be with them in a few weeks for Christmas.
Let us not forget this holiday of thanks. Let us reflect and take one holiday at a time. Thanksgiving may just be considered an in between thing, and a shopping spree, but to some people this holiday means the world to them.
I think we get into the rush of the holidays, and we forget the little most important things.
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