Tomorrow is my first Thanksgiving in the United States since 2008 and although it is not going entirely to plan (my mom is currently hospitalized with appendicitis) I am still excited to celebrate my favorite holiday with my family. While I mostly love Thanksgiving because it a good excuse to gluttonously consume large amounts of stuffing and gravy, it’s also a nice time to reflect on the good things in life.
While I try to be grateful on a daily basis, it’s easy for me to get bogged down by the day to day of life and forget just how much I have to be thankful for. Today, the day before Thanksgiving and before the too much turkey haze sets in, is the perfect time to sit back and think about how lucky I really am.
What am I thankful for?
I’m thankful for my American passport.
I am not really proud to be an American. In fact, there are many times that things happen in the US that make me slightly ashamed of the country my blue passport represents. But I will be forever thankful that I was born in a place that lets me travel freely through so much of the world.
When I applied for British visa I really discovered just how much privilege an American passport affords me. The United States is considered a “low risk” country by the UK and because of this I was exempt from supplying a lot of addition documentation, including bank account information. When I talked to a Vietnamese friend about her experience I found out that she not only had to send in thorough documentation, but also be interviewed by someone from UKBA who asked questions that seemed to be completely irrelevant to border control.
I’m thankful for the people in my corner cheering me on.
I have some really wonderful people in my life, especially my female friends. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and befriend so many supportive women over the past 10 years. My friends are fairly segmented- college friends, study abroad friends, au pair friends, Korea friends, London friends, and travel friends- but the all have a few things in common. They aren’t here to judge. We all want each other to be successful. From tough love conversations over a pint in a pub to being supportive of decisions they really weren’t happy with but understood, I know I have a lot of people who want me to do well. The same things that I want for them. I’m thankful that even though we aren’t physically near each other, these women are always only a phone call, text, or Facebook message away.
I’m thankful for my health.
I am particularly lazy when it comes to taking care of my body. I’m not really proud of it, but it’s the truth. I rarely work out, eat whatever sounds good at the time, and drink too frequently, but somehow through all of that I’ve stayed healthy. This year I had my first health scare. For about two weeks this summer the doctors though I might have an autoimmune disorder. Although it wouldn’t have been something terminal, it would have drastically changed my life. Additionally, I knew I was moving back to the United States in two months and wouldn’t have health insurance. I was terrified. Luckily, the tests proved this be to wrong but it made me realize I had been taking my healthy body for granted. Maybe I’ll try to throw in some running to my calendar next year…
I’m thankful I always have a place to come home.
My traipsing around the world hasn’t always been something my parents were extremely happy about, but every time I come home they welcome me back into their house with open arms. And an open pantry and refrigerator. When they moved earlier this year my mom even made me up a bedroom and put all of my books on shelves. While I’m trying to figure out my life they are letting me live with them rent free and use one of their cars to drive to my internship everyday. Thanks, parents!
And most of all…I’m thankful I’ve been able to see so much of this beautiful planet.
I recently wrote about how much travel has changed me, and for all of those reasons I will be forever thankful that I began this journey five years ago. Traveling, and writing this blog about my travels, has allowed me to meet so many like minded people who make me think that packing up all belongings and moving to random cities I’ve never been to isn’t that crazy. I’ve also been able to interact with people around the world, people from so many different countries and cultures, and from them learn about life.
While so many travel blogs and websites will say that everyone can travel if they really want to, I know this is not true and I know I am lucky that my passport, my country, my upbringing, and my support system has allowed me to be able to live this lifestyle. I’ve worked hard to fund my travels, but I am thankful that the other circumstances allowed this hard work to be enough.
What are you thankful for this year?
Aw great post! So much to be thankful for, indeed! I’m also thankful for a supportive friend group from around the world. Traveling and living abroad really helps filter the friends and helps you find the ones that will always be there for you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Kaleena’s Kaleidoscope recently posted..So I Had A Ridiculous Day
I agree. So much. At first it hurts a little but now it’s nice to know who will really be there when you need them. Hope you were able to celebrate in Korea. Even a little
Lovely post, Amanda! I hope you enjoy thanksgiving at home – it’s been a while for me too, I’ll just have to wait a little bit longer for Turkey and cranberry sauce! Happy Thanksgiving
Laura recently posted..Being Grateful
Thanks Laura! I had some pretty strange Thanksgiving celebrations in Korea that were fun in their own way. I hope you were able to celebrate even in a little way!
Aw, such a nice post Amanda. It’s made me feel thankful of all the same things, so thanks for reminding me. It’s funny, I think if I were to do a similar list it would be the exact same, down to the parents open home and fridge!
Christine | The Traveloguer recently posted..On the Anniversary of the Mumbai Terror Attacks
haha I’m glad I’m not the only one who takes advantage of that
Thanks Christine!
This was such a sweet post! Loved reading this — congratulations on being home for Thanksgiving, although I’m sorry to hear about the appendicitis. This is my favorite holiday too and I haven’t been Stateside for it since 2009, so am missing it! Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy some pie for me
I ate enough for about 5 expats abroad
Thanks for your kind words. I hope you had a nice day even though it wasn’t Thanksgiving where you are.
Happy Thanksgiving! Hope your mom recovers super fast – enjoy your time home with family! Love your thoughts on what you are thankful for – I second all of them! We are so lucky to always have a place to come home to – I’m thankful for my parents and in-laws who always are willing to open their homes when we visit, and go above and beyond to make us comfortable in every way. Thanksgiving is one holiday that makes me a bit homesick – it’s weird waking up in Paris to just another day while friends and family are all celebrating. But I’m looking forward to having a gathering on Sunday
Sara @ SimplySaraTravel recently posted..4 Hours in Paris
Thanks Sara! I agree-being abroad on Thanksgiving when it’s just another Thursday is a weird feeling. I hope you enjoy your celebration today
Happy Thanksgiving! I love these reflective posts. Each time I think I know exactly what I’m thankful for, someone will remind me of something I haven’t thought of!
Yalanda Ludtke recently posted..Yalanda…currently
Thanks Yalanda! I agree, there is so much to be thankful for that it’s hard to think of everything. A lucky problem to have, I guess
“but every time I come home they welcome me back into their house with open arms. And an open pantry and refrigerator.” AMEN to that, hahaha! I always put on so much weight back home, thanks to the latter. In fact, I’m pre-empting it this year (back home for Christmas in just under 3 weeks) by implementing a pre-Christmas-gym-and-healthy-eating routine.
And yes to having the means to see so much of this wonderful world. I think it’s something that can be taken for granted sometimes, but not everyone has the same opportunities, maybe because of their passport, maybe because of financial circumstances, to travel.
Tom @ Waegook Tom recently posted..My Winter To-Do List
I saw you’re back in the UK so I hope you are taking full advantage of the open fridge! Extra pounds be damned, the food is worth it. Eat a few fry ups for me, please
Right on. Such a great post, hun. Love your positivity.
Ceri recently posted..War Is Over If You Want It
Thanks Ceri