Thanksgiving Without a Family

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!! 

 Obviously since Thanksgiving is an American holiday we don't celebrate it here in Italy. Everyone here is busy getting ready for Christmas, but I'm missing out on what is going to be a rather epic Thanksgiving for my family. 

    First off, my family is full of amazing chefs. We generally spend holidays with my mom's side of the simply because we're on the same coast. We've got the southern cooking gene en masse. We have recipes that have been in the family since the flood. And then you throw my British uncle into the mix who makes the best Yorkshire pudding. The result is the best food you have ever eaten: creamy mashed potatoes, savory turkey, green beans that have been cooking all day, the best stuffing in the world, and the coveted cherry cheese pie. It's so good that there are fights over who gets to take leftovers of what.

    Another great part of the holidays is that my family is absolutely crazy. Honestly, we need our own reality show. It's like a tele-novella in there. But they're my kind of crazy. It's like watching the Kardashians all day. We would have our own catch phrases. But I do feel bad for my brother, he's the youngest and the only male grandchild. My family functions as a matriarchy, so this might be rough for him.

    Alas, I am rather homesick today. I want to cuddle with my dogs and hug my family (which is something I hardly ever do - I'm not much of a touchy-feely person but right now I just want a hug). I'm not sad, but I do wish I could be there. Instead I am having Thanksgiving dinner with my flatmates. I am so blessed to have ended up in this flat where all of the girls click on some level. We all get along and have formed a support group for one another. We celebrate each other's birthdays and have regular family dinners. So each of us are making a dish in our ridiculously small kitchen and will have as close to a real Thanksgiving as we can. A lot of the ingredients we use in the States are hard to come by over here. I spent an hour today going to Chinatown to the international market at Piazza Vittorio Emmanuale II by Termini (the train station) hunting down brown sugar. I'm making my favorite Dutch apple pie! But because they really don't have turkey here we'll be eating chicken. You make do with what you've got.

    A tradition with my family is to go around the table and say what you are thankful for. So, I would like to say that I am so thankful for this opportunity in my life: that I am able to live my dream of studying archaeology and art in Roma. I am thankful for my wonderful family who supports me in good times and bad, for my friends who never waver and bring out the best in me, for my teachers who have not only taught me academically but also given me life lessons and spurred me to work harder, and for my dogs who see me as the best person on the planet and make me think that maybe I could be. There were times a few years back where I was almost certain that I wouldn't see my twentieth birthday, but to have made it through all of that and to be not just living but thriving is what I am most thankful. I know it may sound arrogant but I am most thankful for my strength (which is in part given to me by my parents and tested every day by my siblings). 

    So here's to you! I hope you are having a wonderful day with the people who matter to you. Family isn't just about blood, it's about the people who love you unconditionally and who make you feel safe. I know I have adopted family members all over. Take the time to tell those people that you are thankful for them, because although they may know it, it's always nice to hear it!

I'm such a nerd... Couldn't resist.