Happy BirThanksThGiving Day!

Everyday it's important to find something to be thankful for, no matter how small that something might be or how not-in-the-mood you are to be thankful. But today, oh today! Today is Thanksgiving! Today is a day devoted to being thankful. Today also happens to be the birthday of my dear friend Emma, and she just so happens to be here in Germany visiting me! How's that for something to be thankful for?

Thankgiving will be celebrated this year in Frankfurt with other Americans living in Germany who are here with my same program, and with some employees of the organization who helps to implement our program, and with... I don't really know. People will bring dishes, and I have a hunch that the spread will look very similar to what a normal Thanksgiving table might look like, only a bit more... well, a bit more German, probably. It is also the official opening day of the Mainz Christmas market, so after Thanksgiving dinner, there will be much Glühwein drinking and holiday merriment and toasts to happy birthdays! What a day!

I am thankful for:

messages from friends

real marshmallows to top my süße Kartoffeln: Jet-Puffed holla! thanks, Emma.

Skype
my mom

my sister

my brother

the memories i have from my last couple of Thanksgivings with Gram and Uncle John in South Carolina

my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas, and the friends who are my family

the men in my life who have loved and supported me throughout the years

to know my prayers are heard

coffee

germany: for making the most delectable treats readily accessible day and night (and Sundays if you know where to look)
airplanes
heated buildings in the cold of winter
laughter

love

This is a very small list considering all the things I'm truly thankful for. What are you thankful for this year?