I’ve always had pretty yucky Thanksgivings in Ukraine. Not that is was like an emotional day that I cried or whatever. It was just a big NOTHING. And before, in America, Thanksgiving was one of our biggest family holidays, perhaps even bigger than Christmas.
It was nothing for several reasons: 1) I have small children 2) I’m the only American in my circle (not even my husband–not that I mind aobut that 😉 ) 3) I have small children 4) I had never in my life cooked that much food, much less a turkey 5) I didn’t know who to invite over b/c it seemed that all my other American friends must be set for the day already, and who wants to invite yourself over? 5b) I am the only American in my circle. 6) We lived in a very, way-to-small apartment that we couldn’t have many people over and 7) did I mention that I have small kids and that’s a little overwhelming to me?
This year was DIFFERENT. It was probably the best Thanksgiving of my adult life.
pre-1) Skyla and Vika are growing up! They play, help, and are generally wonderful. They are at the point of understanding and participating 🙂 That’s a lot of fun.
1) WE COOKED A TURKEY! I have been terrified of trying to cook a whole bird. And Vitaliy did a lot of the work. We were in the supermarket Tues, and we just went by to check if they had whole turkeys (very rare). They did! With no further thinking, we snatched it up . . . OK we LUGGED it up, all 20-something pounds of it! It was larger and heavier than an infant–I know, I washed it. But now, I am no longer afraid to cook a bird. We marinated it for a day, then cooked it all day Thursday.
2) We now rent a spacious apartment that is condusive to having lots of guests.
3) I knew who I wanted to invite. I invited all my Ukrainian doula couples. I also invited my expecting co-worker, Olya, and her husband. And I invited all my American friends, so no one will have thanksgivings like I have had (not had). Only Olya and her husband and three of my doula couples ended up coming.
It was really special.
Did I mention that it was really special?
We talked about ministry, and we all went around and told something we were thankful for. I said I was thankful for Vitaliy, that he supported my American-ness. That day as we had been preparing, I’d been filled with love for him watching him decorate for Christmas, do this and that, all these American-me things from his heart, because I’m his wife!
It was a special day. Thank you, God.
I know how you feel, I ‘ve been there. Except that I was the only Ukrainian with no knowledge of Thanksgiving traditions and a rapidly growing family and lots of expectations. We since came up with our own Thanksgiving traditions that make the time enjoyable and memorable. I am glad you are now enjoying these things again.
ha! never thought of it backwards, but i understand your stress. well, maybe mine was less stressful b/c I was the only one with expectations 🙂