Regardless of what the calendar hails, it is hard to believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  It seems we make that claim each year and yet this year is different.  My surprise is not because I’ve been too busy to anticipate the advent of the holidays, or too distracted to observe the changing of the seasons.  This year my disbelief is based on the fact that the indicators which I have come to rely on, those signals which tell me Thanksgiving is coming, are pretty much non-existent here in Leaotho.  

1. Oh how I miss fall!! Here in the Mountain Kingdom we are in the middle of the hot, sweaty summer.  My sweaters, scarves and fall boots are buried in the bottom of my suitcase. 
2. Pumpkin Spice What?! Pumpkin flavored drinks and treats are a thing of the past, occasionally pumpkin will appear on my plate but not in any form I’m familiar with m. 
3. Red Cups- the beloved Starbucks Red Cups, which I wait all year for, are things in pictures and dreams… the very best dreams of course. 
4. I haven’t heard any complaints about Christmas decor and music appearing in srores too early. I have yet to hear a Christmas tune and decorations are few and far between. 
5. Black Friday hasn’t reached Lesotho… can’t say I’m sad about this one. 

While I am missing the premature Christmas carols, stressful planning, overcrowded stores, endless cooking, and time spent with family and friends (some parts more than others). I am struck by the thought that this year I am far more aware of what I am thankful for and those things which I tend to take for granted.  

Here’s a peak at my Thanksgiving  list so far: 

• Hospitality of strangers 
• Access to clean drinking water
• Warm blankets on cold nights 
• Reliable roofs during scary storms 
• Technology that connects me to friends and family 
• Good coffee 
• Peanut butter 
• Opportunities which I have often  treated as rights and/or obligations 
• Access to education 
• Caring and compassionate teachers
• Mentors and role models 
• Health and access to quality health care
• Organizations and people who are actively working towards peace 
• Basotho people who have hope for the future of Lesotho 
• …. and the list goes on. 

Tomorrow I will share the table with other trainees, friends who are quickly becoming family and just like you we will talk about loved ones, Thanksgiving traditions, the food, and I imagine the conversation will wind its way back to the annual question “what are you thankful for?” As we take our time reflecting and sharing I won’t be surprised if this year the topic isn’t dropped so quickly.  I expect the lists will be a bit longer than other years, and indoor plumbing will likely be mentioned more than once.  With all this thanksgiving I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t even miss  the pumpkin pie. 

Friends, as you gather and reflect on what you are thankful for remember those things which you take for granted, those things which are not guaranteed to all people, those things which you may have left off the list last year.  Enjoy the feast, those you share it with, and be sure to eat some pie for me!  

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Bren 

More Pictures to come…. bad internet right now.