This year is, to say the least, unusual. I guess Thanksgiving won’t make an exception, at least for some. No traveling, no big preparations, no cooking, no big feast with family and/or friends.
It is for sure not the way I like to envision Thanksgiving.
My family’s Thanksgivings were always a little different. We moved from Germany to the U.S. some 20 years ago, meaning we don’t have any family on this side of the pond. Our Thanksgivings were always a gathering of German expatriates who, otherwise, would have spent that day alone.
I remember years in which our table barely had room for all the people. Everyone brought a typical dish from their region to share. Germany may be small compared to the U.S., but it has a lot of different regions each with its own delicious specialties. It was not uncommon that we had to make space for all the bowls, platters, and casseroles to fit on the table or at least within reach. After we were done eating, two or three hours later, we often played games. I still remember one game of Charades during which we laughed with tears streaming down our cheeks, trying to figure out the word woods.
This is what Thanksgiving is about. Seeing family or friends, celebrating with lots of good food and having a great time.
Sorry, that I have to drag you back to reality.
This year will be different for many. I, for one, and a lot of my friends decided to keep it small this year, to stay home and forgo big gatherings, big preparations, and big feasts.
Why don’t we use this year’s Thanksgiving and take a break, stop for a moment, and do something that, under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t be able to do? Take extra care of ourselves and recharge our batteries. Sleep an hour longer, read that book we have wanted to read for so long, go for a walk, listen to music, play with our kids, whatever helps you feel more energized, relaxed and, hopefully, a little bit more patient for the last couple of weeks of this year?
I wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and blessed Thanksgiving.
Regine
Regine Albrecht-Strategies with A Kick 