My English Thanksgiving

Last Thursday marked my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. It also marked the first holiday that I have ever spent away from home and my family. To be completely honest I was dreading Thanksgiving. It is tough enough being away from family for the holidays, but it is even tougher to be in a country where the people don’t even celebrate the holiday. I was working as the receptionist at the church on Thursday and I took to wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving just to spread the American holiday cheer. I do not know if that was the greatest idea, because I ended up having to explain numerous times what Thanksgiving is all about. I also had to explain that Thanksgiving isn’t feasting because the pilgrims killed the Native Americans, My favorite conversation that I had was the following:

Anonymous English Person: “Don’t you Americans celebrate Thanksgiving because you killed all of the Native Americans?”

Me: “No, it’s because the Native Americans befriended the Pilgrims and helped them plant their harvest, so when the first harvest came they had a huge feast to Thank God for their harvest and their new friends.”

AEP: “Didn’t you guys kill the Native Americans?”

Me: “Can I just remind you guys that the Pilgrims were not American but English. They came from Plymouth, England.”

AEP: "Ok."

I had that exact conversation so many times.

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I decided to make the most of my English Thanksgiving. I made my English family a (delicious) Thanksgiving meal. It turned out really well, and the meal was well received. I am so thankful for my English family. They are amazing, and they did so much to make sure my English Thanksgiving was amazing. I think my English Thanksgiving was one of the best Thanksgivings I have ever had. I loved being able to share my favorite holiday with them.

I am so thankful for so many things. I am thankful for an amazing God who loves me. I am very thankful for my family and friends back home. I am also incredibly thankful for my new friends here in England, and the amazing opportunity that I have to be here in England. Not many people have the chance to live in a different country at 19. I feel so very blessed, and I am so grateful.

With all the love in the world,

Natalie Xx