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The One With Thanksgiving

    In 1620, a group of separatists led by a man named William Bradford left port in Plymouth, England headed for a landmass on the other side of an ocean very few had crossed. These separatists were English protestants, leaving friends and family because they did not want to declare allegiance to the Church of England. After two months of chaos and death at sea, the group found their way to Cape Cod and called their new home Plymouth. The colonists then spent the winter on their boat called the Mayflower, where only half of the crew survived the harsh New England winter. Then the captain of the Mayflower sailed it back to England and the colonists were forced to settle onshore. The colonists would have died had it not been for an English-speaking Native American named Samoset who taught the colonists how to hunt, fish, and grow crops. At the end of the following summer, the colonists held a celebration for their successful harvest, a three-day event called the festival of Thanksgiving. That is why Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. The UK, however, does not celebrate Thanksgiving. This year I will be going through my Thanksgiving without turkey, without stuffing, without mashed potatoes, and without my family around me.

    Thanksgiving is a holiday of being grateful for those around you, and the things in life that you feel blessed with. I am thankful for my family for helping me grow and making me into the man I am today. I am thankful for my closest friends for being there for me when I need them, and for always being willing to crush me at video games or go golfing on a whim. I'm thankful for my mentors who have helped me through tough choices and have pushed me to achieve more and challenged me to think in a different way. I am thankful for the teachers at CCAD, for pushing me to become a better designer and explore my creativity. I am thankful for Radley College for giving me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live abroad and help and inspire students through design. I am thankful for the design community for providing inspiration at every turn and allowing me to build a fantastic network. I am thankful for the men and women at Home Depot 3887 for welcoming me into the family there and for teaching and encouraging me. I am thankful for long runs for the meditation provided in the patterned footfall on the pavement. I am thankful for my and my family's health this past year. I am thankful for the little things, evening walks, Chick-fil-a at the park, Friday night Mandalorian episodes, trips to the Hills Market with classmates, and facetime calls at lunchtime. I am thankful for healthcare workers and emergency services. I am thankful to be able to talk to people back home thanks to technology. I am most thankful for the lessons I have learned this past year that I will hold onto and cherish in the years to come. 

    There is so much to be thankful for, and you don't need a holiday to be thankful for these things. Thanksgiving isn't about the food you gorge yourself with, or the parades, or the football games. I hope that you take time today to give thanks for those in your life, and the things that you might take for granted. Give thanks today for your health as many will not be having Thanksgiving this year. Give thanks for your family, even if the current situation makes it hard to get everyone together this year. 

    Let's remember to wear your mask and wash your hands often when in groups of people so that everyone can be back next Thanksgiving. Give your family a call if they can't make it this year. Give your friends a call and see how they are doing. In all, care about others and give thanks because they care back. 

    As always, thank you for taking your time to read this and I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving! Cheers, Tymon

Location: Abingdon, UK

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