I Am Thankful

Erica Whiteman

I am celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow for the first time in seven years.  As an American living in the UK, it is a holiday that often gets overlooked, but this year I have decided to observe the tradition.  We’re having turkey, stuffing, and all the trimmings, and definitely not forgetting pumpkin pie and apple pie for dessert.  It’s traditional to share this meal with family and friends, so that’s exactly what we are doing.  New friends are coming around to ours to experience their first Thanksgiving.

Thanks to the digital age, we’ll be streaming the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and bringing a slice of Americana into our lounge.  And while I won’t be able to sit down at the table with my family back home, I’ll be able to catch up with them through Skype.

While the historical significance of Thanksgiving has been blurred over the years, this holiday is about tradition - from family recipes to watching an American Football game (go 49’ers!) or going to the cinema after dinner. Whether you spend it with your nuclear or urban family, new traditions are created each year as families change and grow. 

One tradition that hasn’t changed is to share around the table what each person is thankful for.  This year, I am thankful for Google+ hangouts and Skype video chat, which enable me to catch up with my parents each week and so they can see how Mini G is growing. I am thankful for Facebook, which allows me to catch up and stay in touch with friends and family I don’t get to see on a regular basis. And most of all, I am thankful for the people around me every day who support what I do (you know who you are!)

Even if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for?

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