tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post7076386952196568980..comments2022-03-28T10:35:49.338+03:00Comments on Missionary Mom's Companion: A Story of Three Very Different ThanksgivingsPhyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529794989164847124noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-30383856689138384072015-11-27T06:24:31.718+03:002015-11-27T06:24:31.718+03:00Love this story (not that you were sick) and what ...Love this story (not that you were sick) and what you learned. I agree!!! I often choose to invite someone over for my birthday - instead of letting people make the day all about me, I try to make it about sharing with others.Richelle Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04083189929795613771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-69193386265133796492015-11-27T06:22:37.004+03:002015-11-27T06:22:37.004+03:00This comment has been removed by the author.Richelle Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04083189929795613771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-79235199507490654042015-11-22T03:15:15.497+03:002015-11-22T03:15:15.497+03:00We've had a variety of Thanksgivings, too. Th...We've had a variety of Thanksgivings, too. The last 3 years we were in different countries (Congo, US, Ethiopia.) This year we're back in the US, so we're breaking our streak. :)<br /><br />One of the things about being in different places and missing our traditions is that it has helped me pinpoint the things that are the most important or meaningful about various holidays. I always thought it was the food for Thanksgiving.<br /><br />While in the US when our kids were small, we were too far from family to visit for the holidays. We joined another gathering or gathered people at our house. Our first Thanksgivings in Congo, we had a meal with other Americans, and something was always missing for me. I thought it was just having different foods (and never quite a feast) and being away from family.<br /><br />The 4th year we were in Congo, we hosted the American meal at our house. I was determined to have lots of food to share. We were living on the hospital compound, so I knew that there would be plenty of opportunities for that. The night before, I was incredibly sick. This isn't as bad as it sounds since I had a cook coming to do the cooking for me & other cooks involved in the meal. But I was flat on my back the whole time. My husband was called in for emergencies & surgery, so the kids hosted everyone at our house. And then, the whole surgical team came and ate. Then the nurses and guards got to have a meal.<br /><br />Even though I never ate anything, I truly felt like it was Thanksgiving. As much as I like turkey & all that goes with it, I realized that isn't what makes Thanksgiving meaningful to me. The thing I want is to have my blessing overflow on others. :) And now that I realize that, I can look for ways to make that happen no matter the setting. (But I'm still happy to have turkey & pumpkin pie, among other things, this year.)Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12192064538924964308noreply@blogger.com