November 26- This year I'm thankful for...

I had asked my students here in Chile to think about the things that they are thankful for. Seems easy enough, until I tried to explain what being thankful means. I couldn't cite examples since they 1)are different for everyone, and 2) would surely bring a tear to my eye. Eventually, I figured the best I could do was to explain that being thankful for something means that you have that something and that you are happy that you have it. Basically, it's the opposite of a wish list you would send to Santa Claus. They seemed to grasp that concept better than anything else I tried.

In Thanksgiving fashion, my family goes around the table every year and talks about what they're thankful for.It leaves many misty, but is a true moment of exposure and humility that gets to the core of what I love about my family and the life I have in New York. It is-without a doubt- my favorite part of my favorite day of the year. And for the first time, I missed it. I've tried to distract myself from it in the hopes of avoiding a truly heavy wave of homesickness, and in the fuss over missing the holiday/ Skyping New York from my classroom with a dozen kiddies, I deflected the responsibility of making a concrete list of things and people for whom I am particularly thankful this year. So, I've given this a lot of thought this afternoon (in the absence of mindlessly eating pumpkin pie 'til it ouches me), and here's what I've come up with:

This year I'm thankful for...
-My family, without whom none of this would be possible. Since this opportunity abroad came about so suddenly, I cannot express how much I appreciate the love and support that came from every single member of my family, who double as best friends in many cases. Without such a strong support group, I question whether I could have done this. I love and miss you all tremendously.
- Erik's completion of his program at Dutchess and subsequent acceptance into UNH. I am prouder of you than I would let on, and am so happy that you're getting to experience school and getting to do what you love. Don't ever stop that.
- Both Lee and Stuart's new jobs. I can only imagine the stewing in the bathroom after a long fight, and so I'm happy that your new jobs have given you the opportunity to move into an apartment with doors. I'm so happy for you both.
- Liam Patrick Doyle, and his parents, Katie and Dave. What an adorable addition to the family; I look forward to getting to share in his first Christmas next month.
- My laptop. I know I made a fuss over it last year with not needing it and all. It has proven to be the best gift I've ever gotten. Thanks, Mom!
- The opportunity to see my family on my favorite day of the year. I saved a tear or two for after the call. Figured it was easier that way. Someone tell Nanny I was glad to talk with her, too, please...
- The gift of being open-minded enough to travel. I've learned a lot and I think it's going to make me a better person.
- The men and women serving in our armed forces. Their selfless sacrifice has been felt both overseas and within our borders.
- My students, who remind me everyday why I want to be a teacher...and who frequently remind me why I want to teach older students long-term. As crazy as the days can get, they're a constantly affectionate group who seem to know when to get it together and pick me up.
- Samantha, for- through the grace of God- getting me the gig, and for having a good enough TV package that I could watch the Yankees in October/November. When no one speaks your language, it's nice to watch people, who seem to move in universal fashion.
- All of the e-mails and messages that I've gotten from everyone since being here, and for the advances of technology, for as poorly as I take advantage of them.
- Pop, who's with me every day, and whose lessons are being re-learned and understood in a new way.
- My relative health. I can't imagine having to try to explain an illness to a doctor here.
- My iPod, because other than "Eres Tu" and "Feliz Navidad", I can't quite get the hang of songs in Spanish (thanks Tommy Boy)
- having gotten my Masters Degree. It was a struggle to personally get myself in the right frame of mind for intensive schoolwork, which made the end of the program all the sweeter.
and most of all, I'm thankful for my Mom, whose lessons of patience, determination, and fighting for what I want have been cornerstones of my entire year. I love you.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope to see you all soon. Stay well. Talk to each other.