I had a nice time in Hawaii. I was there for four days, and spent the time I was not working revisiting some of my favorite places from when I lived there. The pictures are of Kailua beach (formerly known as Amy's beach) where I lived for two years and of the view of the Windward Side of Oahu from the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout. I had forgotten how breathtaking it really is there.
I wish I could be spending this holiday with family. I like Thanksgiving, because it is really all about being grateful for the people you love and being surrounded with family and friends. I have spent a lot of holidays away from family, some by choice and some not by choice. I was thinking today of all of my Thanksgivings since 1997. The first two (1998 and 1999), when I was on WIlLOW in RI, I took duty on the ship, so I could be sure of having Christmas off. My first Thanksgiving in Hawaii (2000), Tom flew out to visit me for the week.
Thanksgiving in 2001 was the first Holiday I spent with Tom's family. I flew in from Hawaii, we saw my family in PA for a few days, then went to NJ to have dinner at Tom's grandparents' house. Thanksgiving was their biggest holiday, Nanny and PopPop always threw a huge celebration for family and friends. It was not as big as when Tom was a kid, but the spirit was there. In 2002 and 2003 we drove from Seattle to Spokane to spend Thanksgiving with my brother Chris and his family.
Three years ago (2004) Tommy and I went on our honeymoon in New Hampshire for Thanksgiving. In 2005 we had Thanksgiving with just the two of us at our house in New London, Carla came over for dessert. That was a nice, but I think we both missed being with more family and would have liked to be able to host our families at our house. We decided that we would spend either Christmas or Thanksgiving each year without traveling to see family, to establish our own traditions. Last year, we spent Thanksgiving at my sister Jennifer's house in PA. We traveled to Italy over Christmas, so Thanksgiving was for family.
That brings me to 2007. Thanksgiving was yesterday (or today, depending on your orientation to the Date Line). Thanksgiving 2007 was in an airplane, with my husband somewhere in the middle of the Pacific, my families in PA , NJ (or traveling for the holiday actually, I think), Chicago and Spokane, our friends spread all over the country and my heart with each and every one of you.
I believe it is important in life to be grateful for what you have and not long for what you don't have; to be in the moment and not live in the past or future; to be appreciative for the blessings of one's life. So, on this Thanksgiving, when I am far away from everyone I love, I want to say that what I am grateful for is that I know and love so many beautiful people, even if I can not be with you. My life is rich with friendship and love, and for that I thank you all.
Happy Thanksgiving.
love,
Amy
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