I am sitting here watching my son sleep, thinking of my
daughter away at preschool, missing my husband in Morocco. I never thought that
one day I will be so separated from the people I love most. My parents, in-laws
and most of my friends are in the US, my aunt is in London, and my uncle and
his family are all away at work. Of all the days, today is the day I miss my
“old” life most. In all the years I have been in the US, Jeff and I have almost
always been together over Thanksgiving, whether we chose to celebrate it or
not. This year, though, not only are we separated, we are also not celebrating.
In honor of all those November days that have passed since I
got to know Thanksgiving, I collect and recollect how they have been spent. I
share highlights from years past.
Thanksgiving 2003
My first Thanksgiving, my first train ride, my first trip to
Seattle and the first time I meet Jeff’s parents. 2003 was a year of many
firsts.
Most memorable part:
chopping onions, tomatoes, and parsley to make tabouleh for eight using a dull
knife; my right arm hurt well into the following day. I discovered how sweet
and savory mix in a meal and avoided cranberry sauce.
Thanksgiving 2004
My first thanksgiving as a wife, and one more family
gathering before we moved out of the Northwest.
Most memorable part: taking
my first trip to Vancouver, BC and putting my green card to its first
international use.
Thanksgiving 2005
The year of the smoked turkey, and the first year Jeff and I
were apart for Thanksgiving: he was writing a paper and I was visiting a friend
in Pittsburgh.
Most memorable part:
giving up my seat on the plane for a free ticket. We also had our first yearly
supply of smoked turkey broth in the freezer.
Thanksgiving 2006
We flew to Seattle for the holiday.
Most memorable part: this
later proved to be the last Thanksgiving we have with the entire of Jeff’s immediate
family.
Thanksgiving 2007
We hosted our very first Thanksgiving. It was held at our
house in Portland. We had four guests, including one vegetarian.
Most memorable part: the
barbequed turkey that Jeff grilled on the side patio despite the rain.
Thanksgiving 2008
The year with no turkey. Instead, and after leaving Portland
for the second time, Jeff and I used up two free hotel nights and ventured to
New York for the holiday.
Most memorable part: seeing
the Macy’s Day parade balloons the day before the parade.
Thanksgiving 2009
With a baby in my belly and a due date in January 2010, I
cooked for six in our DC apartment. The only item that was store bought, other
than the bread, was the pumpkin pie.
Most memorable part: having
Jeff’s and my parents gathered at our table for the first time.
Thanksgiving 2010
The year our family grew by one. Jannah-Rae was ten months
old and able to share the feast. She had sweet potatoes and turkey.
Most memorable part: having
a D&C shortly before the holiday yet celebrating anyway.
Thanksgiving 2011
We headed to MN to introduce JR to the rest of the family. This
has been the biggest Thanksgiving I had been to so far. I had wanted to brave
the crowds on Black Friday at the Mall of America but was convinced otherwise.
Most memorable part:
needing the distraction from the second miscarriage and wanting to be
surrounded by family. We bought JR a Mickey Mouse shirt that she is still
wearing two years later.
Thanksgiving 2012
I was on bed rest, but Thanksgiving happened anyway. We
invited a close friend over and dined with her and my parents.
Most memorable part:
Jeff putting together a remarkable meal.
Thanksgiving 2013
Yousef’s first Thanksgiving and our first in a foreign
country or rather make two foreign countries: the kids and I were in Lebanon
while Jeff was alone in Morocco. The first Thanksgiving in a decade that passes
without a celebration.
Most memorable part:
not telling JR it was Thanksgiving to avoid making her sad.
