Last year, Holly missed her first family Thanksgiving ever because she was studying abroad in London during her junior fall semester of college. Her mom, my aunt Nanny, brought a lovely printed out picture of Holly that was glued to a stick so that it felt like she was there, even if her loudness wasn't. My other four cousins, my brother, and I turned "Flat Holly" into an excellent source of entertainment that night and took many many pictures of Holly doing some crazy, rowdy things. At that point in time, I didn't know that I would be missing this year's Thanksgiving, and had I known I may have toned down some of Flat Holly's escapades. This year, she and my brother and my cousins have an opportunity for payback and I am very, very nervous for what is in store for Flat Kelly.
Yes, this year will definitely be different. Yet admittedly, it may be the first year I have truly reflected on the meaning of this holiday and considered everything in my life that I am thankful for, including things that I've never realized I should be so thankful for. Years past, I have always been thankful for the mound of scrumptious food on my plate and being able to spend time with both sides of my incredible family. When I think of holiday get-togethers, I hear the belly cackles of ze French-side cousins, I hear Piano Man/American Pie being played by my uncle Marc on the piano while the rest of us belt out the lyrics, I hear Frank Sinatra, I hear "We Gather Together," I hear Holly ('nuff said) and I have always been thankful for all of those sounds but this year I'll experience what it's like when those sounds aren't there. I'll hear the growl of a motorcycle, the ringing bells of the ice cream vendors, and the steady rhythm of salsa and bachata music, and I will dearly miss the familiar soundtrack of home.
I am sad, but more thankful than ever. This year, I feel thankful to be an American woman in general let alone part of my family. I am thankful that my ability to receive an education has never been threatened by financial, cultural, or structural limitations. I am thankful that throughout my ~16 year soccer career, I had at least one of my parents supporting me (or chirping at the referee) at 95% of my games. I am thankful that they were also sitting in the crowd at every musical concert and attended every parent-teacher meeting. I directed our first Parents Meeting for FSF last Saturday, and out of the 70+ girls we have on the Estrellas and Mariposas, 6 parents showed up. Maybe not for lack of desire or interest, but maybe because taking 45min out of one's day to learn about the extracurricular activities of their daughters isn't feasible when he or she is working tirelessly to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. I've experienced what it is to be fully supported in every single thing I do, and I've learned that it is an incredibly lucky, rare, and special gift. My parents rock, and yes I'm thankful.
For all the other people that have made me me: the 20 years I had with Grandpapa and the 21 with Grandmaman, I am thankful for their amazing genes, for their strength and grace and warmth, for their humor, for their ability to bring people together, and for that bit of stubbornness that ALL of us received. It has pushed me through the hardest of days. I'm thankful that I still have Goody and Grumpa, their smiles that light up the room and their hugs that shoo away any problems. For the way in which they have the most genuine confidence in every single one of us, that it's impossible to doubt ourselves in what we do because we've got the two biggest fans anyone could ask for on our side. I'm thankful for all my aunts and uncles that have taught me well that the party doesn't end after college, that if you've had three sips of wine it's about time for a refill, and have gifted me with some amazing life advice and wonderful conversations. I'm thankful for all my crazy cousins, for the laughs, the fights, the random games we've made up over the years. No one will ever understand the intricacies of my family the way they do, and I can only hope we're keeping all our kids awake by blasting music and dancing on tables in years to come. I'm thankful for my brother. I'm thankful that I have a lifelong best friend in him who gets along with everybody and anybody except for Yankees, Giants, and Heat fans (and probably some others too). I'm thankful that we share the same sense of humor and he knows how to make me laugh, even though he also knows very well how to push every single one of my buttons..but that's what brother's are for and I'm thankful that I don't have a sister. I'm thankful for my teachers, coaches, mentors, and friends--many of them being the sole reason I decided to take this job. Thank you specifically to Lucy and Devin who told me one day on the quad that I was absolutely crazy if I was going to pass up the opportunity to live in Nicaragua for a year. I sent in my application later that afternoon, and haven't regretted it once. Yes I'm so very thankful.
I'm thankful for technology so I can Skype with my family sitting around the table 4,000 miles away tonight and Saturday night. Yes, I really am thankful.
Are you thankful?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Amor, paz, fútbol, y gracias
KPope
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