Thankfulness in Madrid

Although I love traveling and living abroad, I’m really sad not to be in the US with my family to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Even when I was living in the US, we all got together in one place only twice a year or so, but those were always the best weekends ever. And Thanksgiving happens to be my very favorite holiday!

Being away from home has made me more thankful for the things that I have in my life. In school today, we made Thanksgiving turkeys by tracing our hands and we wrote down things that we are thankful for. Here’s mine:

Please don’t judge my terrible handwriting and artwork! I just didn’t want to show up the kids by drawing an amazing picture…

I’m thankful for my family.

It could not have been easy for my parents, brother, and sister-in-law when I told them that I was planning to quit my job to travel and move to Spain, but they have continued to support me in everything that I want to do in life. I am so lucky. I’m missing out on a killer Thanksgiving dinner with them at my brother and sister-in-law’s house, but at least they are a FaceTime call away!

I’m thankful for my friends.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people in my life from my travels, living in Spain, and of course from back home. I’m so thankful for my friends both old and new. I’m thankful that even though I can’t be with my family, I’ll be spending Thanksgiving with my friend and her host family, and that I have some great friends here in Spain who keep me from ever feeling lonely.

I’m thankful for my job in Spain.

I love teaching kids. It certainly gets frustrating and there are days when I don’t know if I’m making a difference, but I know teaching is worth it when I get the occasional hug from my 3rd or 4th graders. They are the best, and I’m thankful for every day that I get to spend time with them.

I’m thankful for my travels.

I have seen beautiful places, met interesting people, and done things I never thought I would this year while traveling. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of this world; to see it and touch it and experience everything it has to offer. I know that I will never forget or regret this time in my life.

I’m thankful for you!

I still can’t believe that some of you like to read this thing! Thank you. I’m thankful that you want to look inside my world and I hope you continue to do so. Keep wandering, and so will I.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for this year?