The Unusual Thing I’m Most Thankful For
Last year, I wrote a post with this same title. (You knew you were having a déjà vu moment, right?) It’s funny looking back on it now, and seeing how few readers and commenters I had, when that was one of the most honest posts I’ve ever written. But the truth had to be shared and this holiday weekend is no different.
This Thanksgiving, despite the fact that my bedroom won’t be warm with the smell of baked yams, I have found an equally unusual thing to be thankful for: homesickness.
I can admit that I’ve been feeling slightly homesick at the thought of not having anyone to spend this holiday with. But, in return, I am able to see how incredibly lucky I am to have people to miss at all. And that, despite physically being alone this weekend, I know my phone will still be flooded with text messages and my MacBook will be lit up for multiple Skype dates.
In that regard, I suppose I am also thankful that the Internet can turn 4,400 km of distance into just 2 ft. – the distance between my face and iPhone/MacBook. Without the modern technology that we constantly take for granted, I wouldn’t be able to see my family’s smiles or my dog’s sweet faces.
I may not be able to smell what they are cooking for dinner, eat a Flanders-sized portion of Grandma’s cherry cheesecake for dessert, or watch Dad spill something on his shirt… but I am grateful to have a family who supported me in my decision to move, no matter how much distance it put between us.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends.
Happy Thanksgiving to you too Cait. It works in reverse during these holiday seasons when us parents have kids who are all grown up and not close by anymore. Which reminds me – I better watch that I don’t spill something on MY shirt this Thankgiving weekend!
Off topic: Hope you saw my earlier comment about the cheaper way to buy TTC monthly passes and also lock in the fare rate for a full year before it goes up next spring.
I did see your comment! Thanks, Rob. Hope you have a happy and spill-less Thanksgiving
Welp, we just finished a scrumtilitious yummy turkey dinner with the kids and have just finished doing the dishes and cleaning up. Just one small problemo – I got away spill-less but not so my wife – the evening laundry is just now about done !!! (evil grin)
And how was your Thanksgiving dinner?
Dinner was funny! I Skyped in with the family and “sat” at the dinner table w/ them.
Happy Thanksgiving! I have been living away from my family now for almost 8 years..holy cow! I’m also a girl from the coast, just the other side of Canada. It is especially hard around the holidays to be away from everyone but just remember you mad an amazing decisions to move to TO, and I am sure your family is missing you very very much this weekend!
Thanks for your support, Laura! Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from a reader down south!
Being away from your family during the Holidays is always so hard. Glad technology can keep you feeling close.
Also, congratulations on the big move and the job! It takes a lot of courage to uproot your entire life and step into the unknown.
I really enjoy reading your blog and I hope that someday I can be bold enough to make those big life changes.
You will, Andi! I know it. Thanks for your comment
I’m so jealous of your early Thanksgiving! It’s my favorite holiday and I am already looking forward to it. We do a “Friendsgiving” each year now that we live 2500 miles from our family. It’s really turned into the best thing ever. I now prefer Christmas with family and Thanksgiving with friends. Everyone brings their family’s “signature” dish, and we have the turkey and all that jazz too. Hopefully next year you’ll have a big circle of friends to do a Friendsgiving with!
What’s your family’s signature dish? J’s family makes these incredible twice-baked potatoes, and my mom always makes this delish cheesy pearl onion casserole. I’ve got the potato recipe down, but can’t quite get the casserole right…xoxo
I love the sound of Friendsgiving! I’d bring either Mom’s stuffing or Grandma’s cheesecake.
Happy Thanksgiving Cait! This will be my second year of actually living close to family members for Thanksgiving and it’s around this time of year that I feel most thankful to live where I live.
Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Jordan! Hope you have a great weekend with your family.
Happy Thanksgiving Cait! Giving Thanks is so important but committing to do it all year long is even better., so that’s what I do. Cheers and enjoy your holidays. Mr.CBB
Good way of thinking, Mr. CBB. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! I realized this at some point when I moved down here too.. that being far away from my family is sort of sad on holidays and for big events, but that having a family to call/text/skype and miss is really a blessing.
You also have your man and Pod
thanks for the comment, Allison!
I’m thankful for my friendship with you.
Right back at ya, dear. It is seriously a goal of mine to be friends IRL. Just FYI. <3
Happy Thanksgiving,Cait! I’m thankful for all the simply awesome support recieved during my marathon yesterday. Seriously, I checked my phone after I got through the finish line and it almost brought me to tears.
*big smile*
Good thing you didn’t check your phone during the race! We could’ve been a distraction
Happy Thanksgiving! (I meant to comment earlier, but I’m nursing a turkey hangover) Being able to skype with the fam-jam is great isn’t it? Thank goodness for technology, and no worries, soon enough they’ll invent smell-o-vision and you’ll smells the yams from miles away
Haha, or I could just stop being lazy and make them myself
It’s hard being away from your loved ones, but you are right that you’re lucky to have a supportive family. They want you to succeed in life and the sacrifice is not being able to hug you every day. Hope your weekend is off to a good start, Cait!
Thanks, Michelle!