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!

Thoughts on Family

In less than twenty-four hours, I will be flying over the eastern United States and Canada en route to Amsterdam to be reunited with my fiancee. These last two evenings, I was able to spend some very special time with family. Last night, we gathered at Grandma and Grandpa's to celebrate Grandpa's 69th birthday. There was plenty of good food ... both Mom and Grandma tried to find takers for their leftovers. The food was delicious, but calorie-rich food is only allowable at the party; few want to take it home with them. Just a month earlier, there would have been no question about what to do with leftovers, as I would have gladly taken them to my bachelor pad in Columbus.

This morning, Mom, Dad, and I went running at Kendrick Woods. It was my third time to run there in so many days, but seeing as I'll be sitting a great deal tomorrow, I'm glad for the exercise. Plus, it was really good to spend the time with Mom and Dad. After the run, Dad and I drove into town to buy some larger suitcases at Ollie's (great place for great deals!). Fortunately, I've finally been able to finish my packing. Everything should weigh in at 50 lbs or less (soon I'll be stretching my brain cells to think in kilos). It was a rather exhausting day, but a very nice final day with the family. Ashton and Kara came over for dinner, and we had a great time playing Hillbilly Golf and Quiddler. I think it was one of the best times we've had together as a family.

Speaking of family, while I packed my carry on bags, I thought some about family and came up with the following acrostic (I welcome other acrostics on this topic!):

F: Family is fun.
A: Our family helps us to focus and aim our sights on God's will for our lives.
M: Above all, family is a source of mercy.
I: Our family inspires us to pursue our dreams and persevere through difficulties.
L: Family is a place for love to be shared freely.
Y: How can I forget younguns'? Family is the place for children, who present the opportunity for parents to pass on blessings to the next generation.

Truly family are very special! Farewells are one of the more poignant times to reflect on family, but certainly not the only times. I hope I'll be able to keep up with this blog over the coming weeks and months, so that I can stay in touch with those most important to me.

As the clock now reads a quarter to midnight, I think I'd best turn in so as to get some sleep before the day of departure.