Full of Thanks

And chicken, and pie, and stuffing.

Today marks a day where family and friends gather around the table to pay thanks. 

It is a day that kick starts the holiday season, although I am sure Macy’s and Costco have had decorations displayed and priced since before Halloween.

It is a day that I get to remember all that I am thankful for… The USA, Uganda, my American friends and family, my Ugandan friends and family, American football, Ugandan football, American time, running water, hot water, and down pillows.

It is day, that when surrounded by fellow Volunteers, we get to reflect on what truly makes us happy and thankful, especially while living in a foreign place that we call home.

It is a day where we are reminded that no matter the month or year we arrived, whether we are 2-weeks into service or 2-years, we are each other’s family.  Long lost brothers and sisters reunited.  That one married couple everyone looks to as Mom and Dad.  And then you always have that crazy Uncle.

To celebrate my third Thanksgiving in Uganda, I helped coordinate an 80-person meal that was taking place at the office on the other side of town.  The new education cohort arrived to country just over 2-weeks ago and to ensure that they got what many consider to be a traditional American Thanksgiving, we have been slicing, dicing, and taste testing.

This was also a great way to share our traditions with the host country staff.  Goal three!

I have been hosting three other Volunteers at my house since Monday and three days later we finally were able to produce a myriad of dishes… Chicken in a tasty garlicky, tomato marinade, stuffing, green bean casserole, corn bread, 12 pies, mashed potatoes, jello, which was more like a punch, and an attempted sweet potato and pumpkin casserole with toasted marshmallows but the sweet potatoes somehow spoiled over the course of 10-hours. 

It was not the end of the world… We have enough carbohydrate options.

We served, shared stories, listened to beautiful Native American music played by one of the Trainees, and as I looked around, I could easily have mistaken us for a giant, dysfunctional, loving family.

As we cleaned the space and the vehicle was ready to take us to our next destination, the movie theater to see The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1, I looked at some of the familiar faces of the Volunteers and realized this would be the last time I saw them until they returned to America.

I was overwhelmed with emotion, as I am not the best with goodbyes and “see ya laters”, so I simply started to walk away until they all started calling my name.

The hugs commenced and tears began to stroll down my face, leaving streaked mascara under my sleep-deprived eyes.  Words of encouragement, memories, and thanks were exchanged. 

I had made it.

That was until my favorite Mentee, Jenna, and I exchanged our final hug. 

This girl is a rock star.  She is resilient, caring, genuine, and has the most beautiful soul I have ever seen in another person.  I long to embrace those qualities and respect her more than she will ever know.  I am beyond confident in her future not only as a Peace Corps Volunteer but also as a young woman ready to conquer what the world gives her.

Just when I thought the tears were dry, I come home to this Facebook message from one of my youth, Jeff.

“Thanks for the leadership summit that you started with Tush.  It really gave me a go a head and got me there and now I feel like I have found my worth.  Thanks again Tara.”

I am not sure if he knew today was Thanksgiving but this was the perfect ending to a thankful day.