Thursday, November 28, 2013

"For each new morning"

I've confessed that I've been struggling with the lead up to the holidays.

After last year, I decided that I would be home for this Christmas this year.
But, unfortunately that isn't going to happen.

And with a very close family member in the hospital,
the tears have been bouncing around the back of my eyes for days.

I'm really homesick.  I miss my family and friends so very much.
It's been almost two years which is too long.  So, I'm planning a trip home after the first of the year.

In the mean time, I'm determined to get a grip and enjoy the holidays.
This has always been my favorite time of year.

With a bit of encouragement from some expat friends on Twitter (Thank you!),
I made a bit of an effort last night by cooking a turkey breast and nuking some sides.

It did make me feel better.

With a good cry, Facetime with loved ones, some hugs from Matt and 10 hours of sleep last night,
I'm ready to embrace the holidays.

Today I'm thinking of my many blessings. And I am so thankful.

"For each new morning with its light,
for rest and shelter of the night,
for health and food, 
for love and friends,
 for everything Thy goodness sends."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson


Happy Thanksgiving!

 


I can't have a post without a photo and although I did make an effort
on a Thanksgivingish Dinner, it certainly wasn't photo worthy.

Instead here's a picture of the fruits of some retail therapy.  They make me smile.
And they made Jessica roll her eyes and say "Mom, really?"
Mission accomplished.


How do you handle it when the holidays are tough instead of terrific?


10 comments:

  1. Oh Selena, I am sorry to hear that you are homesick today. Us American expats have to stick together! Glad that you will be able to make it back in the New Year, so that's something to be excited about! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Thanksgiving from New England ! (Oh, And I think the Chuck's are fabulous, but I am a bit bias since I have four pairs.)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am also not feeling my usual holiday cheer this year but I am trying to just keep going with decorating, music, and food and hope that my cheer comes along with it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those words from Emerson are just perfect for Thanksgiving. I can completely relate to your homesickness. I was definitely feeling it yesterday, too. Two years is a long time - you definitely deserve a visit home!


    Oh, and super cute shoes!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sorry to hear you're feeling sad. The last couple of years I've had to work Christmas Day, and so although my family were 150 miles away rather than thousands of miles like yours I couldn't see them and spent the Christmas/New Year period all alone.
    I tried to keep my spirits up by decorating my lounge, so that it felt cosy and seasonal. Whenever I started to feel lonely or sad I told myself that there were lots of people worse off than me, some with no family at all.
    Try to look forward to your trip home in the New Year and in the meantime at least you've got Matt there.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks so much for the encouragement. I was just telling Jess the other day to focus on making other people smile. There are so many lonely people this time of year. We are truly blessed. Feeling much better today. :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. You can never have too many pairs of shoes, right? I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's tough, but I just try to remind myself of all of the blessings. It seems to be working. We're going to get a tree this weekend. Sending you a cyber hug!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sarah, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Like Belinda said, all of us expats have to stick together and share support and encouragement all around. We all have bad days, just have to make the best of the good ones. You're going to love Christmas in London! (btw I got your email and I promise a proper response soon!!) xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. :( It's so tough, isn't it? I think for Christmas we just crave the familiar. It must be so hard after having lost your mom. I hope that you have a fabulous ten days!!! I can't wait to hear all about it. Time goes by too fast, it's important to make the time for home. I'll be going back soon. I love you, Sweet Friend!!! xoxo

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting. I love to hear from you!