Brittany McGee

I found myself at a loss of words trying to explain to my host family Thursday morning what Thanksgiving is.

The best I could get out with my Spanish was that:

Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks for everything, and no not just to God. It’s not a religious holiday and it probably is the most celebrated holiday in the US. We usually spend it with family and eat a lot, including turkey, potatoes and pie.

But, Thanksgiving is so much more- at least to me, and I didn’t realize it until I spent my first one in a foreign country.

Thanksgiving really launches what I’m now calling my “Especially Thankful Season.” From November to the first of the New Year, I typically reflect on the past year and all that I’m thankful for (more so than I do the entire year). I spend a lot of time thinking about how to show family and friends that I appreciate them- usually in the form of Christmas gifts or even just making the effort to spend more time with them. I like to give back to the community and volunteer. And I usually think of ways to make the next year even better.

Being in a different country doesn’t inhibit me from starting my “Especially Thankful Season.” The weather might be different, the food might be different and the cultural traditions this time of year might be different; but, I can still do all of the above.

While I was getting ready to go to another volunteer’s site on Thursday, I found myself in tears, thinking about for what I am grateful. I’m fulfilling a goal that I had as a teenager and learning so much about the world, life and myself in the process. When all of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers told me that I would get so much more out of the experience than I would give, I don’t think I quite fully grasped the extent of what they meant.

Though I didn’t spend Thanksgiving with my family, or with my friends back home, or with the thousands of Texas Longhorn fans at the traditional Turkey Day Game, I spent it with new friends—who have taught me so much and have become family. And, we made the traditional Thanksgiving feast happen (much thanks to Reesy for organizing and cooking). We even put football on the television. For them, I am thankful.

Equally, I am thankful for all of the support I have back home. My experience would be completely different without the words of encouragement, surprising gestures of kindness and Skype calls.

And, I don’t think there are words to accurately capture how thankful I am for the overwhelming support and kindness I’ve received in my community – from my host family, to socios, even strangers.

Maybe next year I’ll think of a better way to describe all of that to my host family.

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment to tell me!