Thursday 26th November 2020

For the first time in my life, I was invited to a Thanksgiving dinner, celebrated on the third Thursday of November.

It is basically how Americans celebrating harvest and be thankful for all what they have; it is THE  occasion to celebrate. 

A couple I had helped were thankful for their second son, as his birth happened in the middle of the pandemic, away from their families.  As things were getting worse with curfew and Covid-19 cases rising, she was getting more relaxed as there was nothing she can do about it. As it happened, all went well and they can be thankful for their healthy son.

Emilka educated me on the dishes I should see on the table of a Thanksgiving table, however being in Sri Lanka, far away from the USA, people have to improvise as not all the ingrediencies and food are available.

The main item, turkey, was indeed on the table with mashed potatoes, salad, green beans, gravy and corn bread. Cranberry sauce in a form of jelly was there too. Drinking prosecco, wine or a beer is must and for desert was pumpkin pie and I contributed with apple crumble and ice cream.   

For me, it was like having a Christmas dinner, but I could not be with the rest of my family as they had to limit numbers of people invited. Members of their “dream birth team” as they called us were – curfew driver, doula (me), nanny and a maid.

An enjoyable occasion which is believed to be significant and important family occasion in the USA; you get a day off.  

I am thankful for the opportunity this family has given me and for leftover of turkey too. I could make a quick pasta dish dinner for the rest of my family on my return home. 

I am thankful for my family, my health and all the opportunities I had so far in my life. I am thankful for my own abilities to keep going and trying to do my best in anything I do. 

Rennie