Happy Thanksgiving!

On this fourth Thursday of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, I wish my family and friends a very felicitous Thanksgiving. Today, much to my American colleague's chagrin, we have language class from 12:30-2:45 in Rotterdam. (As I return home on the train, I think some turkeys will probably begin to trot around Bresler Reservoir.) Not having experienced the delights of an American Thanksgiving, the Dutch know no better than to go about their usual daily tasks. Perhaps, they weren't too sorry to see the Strangers leave their shores nearly 400 years ago. But, in all fairness, the Dutch have plenty of other holidays to satisfy their appetite for feasts and fun.

After seeing Liesbeth off to work this morning, I sipped my tea this morning and mused over Thanksgivings past. Some of our more recent celebrations are especially memorable. Last year's competition with the socks was a real winner. As I recall, Ashton and I fought off an especially fierce onslaught from Jess, but having vanquished this particularly persnickety aunt-in-law, we made peace. Our objective had been achieved. (But as I recall, I still had both of my socks on, while Ashton lacked one ... for the record.)

I've also enjoyed singing around the piano ... in the past, we've sung "We Gather Together" and "Count Your Blessings." I suppose it'll be harder to sing this year, unless someone discovers that Grandma has a piano hidden in one of the back closets. It did seem a little strange at first to sing, but I've really gotten used to it. It's a nice way to begin the day, doing something completely together, and it also brings our minds back to the One Who for all these years has kept us together.

What a pity I never got around to writing a skit on "The Shakiest Gun of the (Mid)West"! If the weather holds out today, I'm sure the neighbors will be blessed by loud popping sounds reverberating across the fields as the Alpha's go out to prove their mettle. (The real war will be going on inside, though. I wish you all the best, Ashton, as you assail Jess's battlements. Just remember, though she's a good talker, she's likely fall apart like nothing more than a house of cards.) With all the concealed-carry licenses added to the family this year, I think metal detectors should become a regular piece of furniture for large family gatherings.

I also remember participating in some kind of gift-giving ritual. (I don't remember what it's called.) Will gifts be circulating amongst the family again? As I recall, I received a CD one year (the audio kind) that had Fur Elise on it. It is a very pretty song.

Anyone for a game of CatchPhrase this year? Or perhaps Scrabble, Huggermugger, or better yet, Quibbler? If Virginia will be around, I'm sure some word game will find it's way on to a table.

I can see Jaden some years ago playing electrician, as he would move a stool around the house, visiting every light switch, so he could turn them off and on. Esther and Janessa enjoyed playing in the rooms down the hall, that is, until Daniel and Jaden drew them into a ferocious wrestling contest with Ashton, James, Bryan, or me. Might those kids be getting a little big for wrestling?

Now that I've allowed my thoughts to wander over the other side of the Pond, I’ll consider this side, since this is the side I’m on right now. What will Liesbeth and I be doing today? She’s working today, with her colleague Rimka. They are the youngest assistants in the office (the others are 50+), so Lies and Rimka tend to have a lot of fun together. This morning, I’ll go for my walk, and then work on another chapter of Dutch homework. I had one chapter almost finished before my brother called yesterday (it was very nice to talk to you, Bub). Then, I’ll hurriedly grab a PBJ before dashing off to catch the 11:28 train to Gouda, where I’ll wait for about 5 minutes (if all is running to schedule, which it often doesn’t) before setting off on the 11:46 to Rotterdam. Then, I’ll come home and settle in for some studying for this weekend’s special meetings in Germany. This evening, we will eat dinner with Ab and Anneke. (Lies was going to make Chili con Carne, one of my favorites, so I'm rather sorry to be missing that lekkernij!) Then, return home just about the time the food drops from throats to stomachs on 1616 N. Grubb Road.

Happy digesting, and an even happier Thanksgiving!

And, to reward anyone who trekked through this lengthy post, here's a picture of me with the one I'm quite thankful for on this Thanksgiving .... A picture is worth a thousand words, I know, but I couldn't resist adding a few words beneath it, in the great tradition of American romance poetry!

Rozen zijn rood,

En violetjes blauw:
Maar niets is zo lief
Als mijn prachtige vrouw!