Happy Thanksgiving

I have a great deal to be thankful for today. My family, my friends, my health… It used to be that I would say I was thankful for “familyfriendshealth” without thinking much about it. After being over here over eight months, I am starting to truly realize how incredibly important you all are to me. I couldn’t do this if it weren’t for all your prayers and your well wishes and your support. And health… well, let’s just say that any day I wake up and have a normal bowel movement is a good day. I’ve been fortunate to have stayed as healthy as I have, but I certainly know first-hand how fragile that health is. I am very thankful for my health.

You know another thing I’m thankful for? I’m thankful for my tough times here. Honestly, I have it pretty easy (good coworkers, welcoming neighbors, cold drinks), so there aren’t many of those tough times, but sure, there are some. Those tough times can be divided into two categories, and I’m thankful for both of them:

1) I get frustrated or bent out of shape about something that is not going my way in this country. My language skills are failing me, my kids are acting up, the heat’s getting to me, my health is wavering, bats have invaded my house… Why am thankful for those times? Well, it should be obvious just reading through that partial list: When I stop and think about what’s bothering me, I figure out pretty fast that it’s not even close to being a big deal. In a world where 1.3 billion people live in extreme poverty, if I’m getting worked up because I have a day when my students are misbehaving, I must have it pretty good.

2) I miss home. I miss my parents. I miss my brothers and sisters. I miss my friends. I miss my dog. I miss the food I could eat back home, the television I could watch, the porcelain facilities I could use... Why am I thankful for these times when I get a bit homesick? When I stop and think about all those good things I miss, all those important people who I love and all those comforts that come with living in the US, I realize pretty fast how incredibly lucky I am. In a world where 800 million people are hungry, if I’m feeling sorry for myself because I have to eat rice and sauce instead of Mom’s spaghetti casserole, I must have it pretty good.

There’s no way I can mention everything I’m thankful for today, but I want to add just a few more things:

I’m thankful for all the excellent teachers I had growing up.
I’m thankful for all of the friends I have who I consider family.
I’m thankful for all the people I’m working with over here in Africa- both Americans and Burkinabé.
I’m thankful for all of you who have sent encouraging letters and packages to me. (See sidebar for address… hint, hint…)
I’m thankful for all your prayers.

Also, I’m thankful that the Red Sox are going after Josh Beckett (I always liked that guy) and that my Fantasy Football team has a chance to make the playoffs if we can get W’s these next couple of weeks.

Finally, I’m thankful to have been given the opportunity to see how incredibly blessed I have truly been. I don't deserve all the great family and friends I have, but I'll certainly take 'em.

Happy Thanksgiving,
josh