For some reason, this year's Thanksgiving in the States is weighing heavily on me here in Moldova. This very important holiday will be this Thursday in the U.S., but it doesn't exist here. So, like the rest of the teachers, I will be working. In fact, I will be helping to give a seminar to teachers within my raion (county) about the benefits of using technology in teaching English.
But, back to Thanksgiving... Perhaps it is the death of my father in September, or the call of my memories as November turns its cold, gray shoulders heads toward winter, but I feel somehow a bit maudlin for shared turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing and all the fixins. But, most of all, I feel compelled to share in my family's tradition to tell what I am most grateful for. Each year, around my family's holiday table, we would each take our turn and list those things that were special in our lives.
This year, I will celebrate the holiday alone, but it doesn't mean that I am not grateful for so much: first, I am grateful to God for my health and well being, and that I am strong enough to be able to experience this incredible country and to teach so many wonderful children; second, I am grateful for so many supportive family members (especially my mother and younger brother Steven, my aunts Mary and Aimee and uncle Jim) and friends in the U.S. and Canada (Kelvin, Judy and Derek Cohea, Kate, Deena, Char, Jeannie, Keith, Karen, Campbell, Sarah and the list goes on and on and includes Sharon who edits my poetry and offers advice of all sorts) who encourage me in my efforts; third, I am grateful for my many and amazing Moldovan friends who have reached into my heart and sculpted a special chamber where they dance and sing and celebrate a world free of barriers and language gaps. Andrei and Olea, Gray and Diana, Nicu and Cristina, Andrei, Sergiu, Alina, Oleg and Irina, Vadim and Tatiana, Veronica and Victor, the whole Spataru family, the Croitor family, the Ducal family, the Diaconu family and so many, many more. I am sooo grateful to my wonderful host families both in Trușeni (Maya, my superlative little brother Gelu, and Bunica) and Ialoveni (the incomparable Ecaterina and Velodya) for taking me into their lives and sharing the joy and bounty that Moldova has to offer.
I am most grateful for the students who have entered my life and who have become so very dear to me -- like my own children. I'm so thankful to be surrounded by loving and wonderful minds that waken to new ideas and try on new thoughts like trying on clothes. I thank God for Dumitru, Cristi, Victor, Nick, Nicu, Dan, Veronica, Lexie, Getta, Cristina, Alina, the entire 2nd form classes, 4A, 6A, 6B, 11A, 12A and my special 6 students in 12B; they light up my life and make every day an adventure. I believe that they are the future of the world, and they will make the world a very special place.
The thing is, I could go on for pages with names, people and hearts that have touched mine and made this an experience beyond anything I could imagine.
And so, living up to the traditions of my family, I bow my head before the giving universe and I say, "Thank You and Mulțumesc Frumos to anyone who cares to listen. Happiest of Thanksgivings to all of you. May your lives be as blessed as mine is.
But, back to Thanksgiving... Perhaps it is the death of my father in September, or the call of my memories as November turns its cold, gray shoulders heads toward winter, but I feel somehow a bit maudlin for shared turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing and all the fixins. But, most of all, I feel compelled to share in my family's tradition to tell what I am most grateful for. Each year, around my family's holiday table, we would each take our turn and list those things that were special in our lives.
This year, I will celebrate the holiday alone, but it doesn't mean that I am not grateful for so much: first, I am grateful to God for my health and well being, and that I am strong enough to be able to experience this incredible country and to teach so many wonderful children; second, I am grateful for so many supportive family members (especially my mother and younger brother Steven, my aunts Mary and Aimee and uncle Jim) and friends in the U.S. and Canada (Kelvin, Judy and Derek Cohea, Kate, Deena, Char, Jeannie, Keith, Karen, Campbell, Sarah and the list goes on and on and includes Sharon who edits my poetry and offers advice of all sorts) who encourage me in my efforts; third, I am grateful for my many and amazing Moldovan friends who have reached into my heart and sculpted a special chamber where they dance and sing and celebrate a world free of barriers and language gaps. Andrei and Olea, Gray and Diana, Nicu and Cristina, Andrei, Sergiu, Alina, Oleg and Irina, Vadim and Tatiana, Veronica and Victor, the whole Spataru family, the Croitor family, the Ducal family, the Diaconu family and so many, many more. I am sooo grateful to my wonderful host families both in Trușeni (Maya, my superlative little brother Gelu, and Bunica) and Ialoveni (the incomparable Ecaterina and Velodya) for taking me into their lives and sharing the joy and bounty that Moldova has to offer.
I am most grateful for the students who have entered my life and who have become so very dear to me -- like my own children. I'm so thankful to be surrounded by loving and wonderful minds that waken to new ideas and try on new thoughts like trying on clothes. I thank God for Dumitru, Cristi, Victor, Nick, Nicu, Dan, Veronica, Lexie, Getta, Cristina, Alina, the entire 2nd form classes, 4A, 6A, 6B, 11A, 12A and my special 6 students in 12B; they light up my life and make every day an adventure. I believe that they are the future of the world, and they will make the world a very special place.
The thing is, I could go on for pages with names, people and hearts that have touched mine and made this an experience beyond anything I could imagine.
And so, living up to the traditions of my family, I bow my head before the giving universe and I say, "Thank You and Mulțumesc Frumos to anyone who cares to listen. Happiest of Thanksgivings to all of you. May your lives be as blessed as mine is.
