Overwhelmingly Thankful

While home in the US for a month, I found myself overwhelmingly thankful. Thankful for the silliest  things, thankful for things for which I had never thought to be thankful, thankful for really big things. I didn't feel the sense of entitlement about these things that I've often felt as an American, just thankful to have what I was able to have for that time. But neither did I take these things for granted anymore. They actually are blessings; they are not rights, they are not guaranteed for every chapter of life. And so I should be thankful for them. And content without them. I do think this was a first for me in my two years of back-and-forth between Romania and the US (yes TWO YEARS as of January 9). Here is my list of Thanksgiving.

Ginger Ale

English muffins

Trader Joe's

Heated seats in cars

My childhood bed

Target

Broadway

Sourdough bagels

Root beer

Delivery

Roast beef

Lebanon bologna

The ease of doing everything in your native language

The ability to pay for NYC taxis with a debit card

The ability to get anything you could conceivably want within a 5 block radius of your NYC apartment

The ability to get any fruit I want... in December

Unlimited free water in restaurants

College football

Customer service

Crazy goofy silly family members

Guitar Hero

The high level of trust, vulnerability and transparency of most Americans

Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Massive massive bookstores, all in English (e.g., Barnes and Noble)

Alice's Tea Cup

The hustle and bustle of New York City

The peace and quiet of central PA

Awesome college roommates

Awesome childhood friends

Awesome Christian community in NYC

Thai food

Mexican food

Lot of shoes available in my size (10- monstrous in Romania)

Water fountains

Brunch

Now that I'm back in Romania I can honestly say that I am truly thankful to be here as well. I am truly thankful for the quirky little international community here in this quirky little place. And I am thankful for the opportunity to continue serving and working here for a little while longer.