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What I Realized By Missing Thanksgiving Dinner

Thank you for making this day special.

Monica Castro

Nov 21, 2016

Stonehill College

197

visitcorvallis.com

Thanksgiving.

A time to take a break from college and go back home to your own bed, warm home-made food, and the familiar faces of the people you love and miss the most.

That is, except when you're a foreign college student living 2,000 miles away from home.

Even though Thanksgiving is primarily a North American holiday, due to my high school's American system and my mom's own experiences as a student in Montana, it has been somewhat of a tradition for my family to celebrate it. This is my second year away from home for Thanksgiving, and while I find myself feeling homesick for my family and my home, I am also inevitably reminded about how thankful I am for them.

I know my family is always with me - even when I'm thousands of miles away. After all, they've made me who I am. It is probably even harder for them to let me go this far away to pursue my dreams in another country than it is for me to be here, living this adventure. I am thankful for how much they believe in me. I am thankful for all the support and love they have for me. Dear mom, dad, and little sister, I love you. I want you to know that even though we won't be together this Thanksgiving, I am so very thankful for you. You are the best gift I have.

I want you to know that I'll miss everything about our family gathering, from the hilarious conversations with Grandma, to our "So who is saying the meal prayer?"s, to my least favorite part: helping wash the dishes after dinner. I'll miss mom's deep questions asking each of our family members what we're thankful for. I'll miss napping and watching random tv shows after my grandparents leave. I'll miss you.

I also want you to know that I am never alone. I am very lucky to have different kinds of family away from home. Families made of friendships that I know are always there for me. I am thankful to share Thanksgiving with one of the kindest and biggest hearted families I've ever met. Thank you for having me, and thank you for all the love.

It's also important to highlight last year, when I spent Thanksgiving with my Aunt Suyapa in New York City. It was my first Thanksgiving away from home. Thank you Aunt for such a great Thanksgiving last year. Thank you for always being there for me and supporting me in everything.

While I still feel like the 34 days I have left until I go back home feel like a hundred years, I know I am beyond blessed to be able to spend them with some very special people.

Thank you.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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What I Realized By Missing Thanksgiving Dinner

Thank you for making this day special.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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