I Am Thankful

Dear Friends and Family,

When I moved to the United Kingdom, I expected to have a very cultural experience, meet tons of new people from all over the world, and learn more about myself. However, on my list of things that I would do while living abroad, realizing the depths of my pride and patriotism for my home country was not one. I write you today after embracing this new chapter in my life for a little over two months. As this American holiday has crept up over the past few weeks, I have found myself pondering its meaning. Although the holiday is the same, it has taken on a new meaning in my life...

A few weeks ago when I travelled back to St. Andrews on the train, a few friends drove back. On their drive home, they stopped at a church about 5 hours away from St. Andrews in the North of England. Upon returning to St. Andrews, Emily wrote this about her visit: "The little church, in Austerfield, Yorkshire, is about 60 years shy of its 1000th birthday and is the very church where William Bradford was baptized. Who is William Bradford? Shame on you. William Bradford was the leader of the separatist settlers of Plymouth Colony, governor of Massachusetts, architect of the Mayflower Compact and, maybe most importantly at this time of year, the man who declared the very first Thanksgiving. The church was barely bigger than an American living room with a large, golden tree bent over a small cemetery. Inside still sits the same blue basin that baptized the "Pilgrim Father" so many years ago. There I stood, in the freezing cold, in the middle of nowhere, flipping through scenes of American history that had been stored in the back bits of my brain since 5th grade chronicling the events that began in that very spot and eventually precipitated the First Amendment to the Constitution. And I was thankful." When I read her reflection, I felt like even though I didn't experience this with my own eyes, it felt almost like I had been there. And I, too, was thankful.

Although it is very difficult to be away from home on this American holiday, the thousands of miles between my current residence and America has given me an unexpected and different perspective on the things for which I am thankful. I am thankful for so much it is difficult to put it all of my thoughts into words. I am so thankful for the support and love I receive from all of my family and friends. I am thankful for the unique opportunity to continue pursuing my education at this world-renown institution and beautiful town of St. Andrews, where I am furthering my education, both formally and informally. I could go on and on about how I am thankful for new friends of just two months and new life lessons learned, but most of all, I am thankful for the little blue book that I carry with me. The book that contains so much information - who I am, what I look like, what countries I've travelled to, and most importantly, shining in gold lettering on the front, the five words that label my citizenship - The United States of America. I am thankful for this little blue book that we call a passport.

This little blue passport is allowing me to see and experience the world. As an American, my passport affords me opportunities and privileges unknown to citizens of other countries, both at home and abroad. I was with the rest of the world, not in America, watching the results of the November 4th election taking place. Never would I have imagined how interested the rest of the world really is about who our next President will be, or what goes on in America in general. No lie, it wasn't just Americans staying up all night to watch the election results come across the screen, even if it was past 6:00 am before we would know. Yes, America is watched constantly, and not just by the British. The WORLD is concerned with our country. How many of you can say that you know what's going on (politically speaking) in Britain, or the Ukraine, or Iraq, or Russia on a daily basis?? I know that I certainly can't! I was in the airport in Stockholm waiting for a flight the week after the election and I looked over at the gift shop magazine stand, and on every single magazine cover was a picture of Barack Obama...and when I got to London...Barack Obama covered the wall of one Tube Station wall. America is everywhere, in case you weren't aware...

I've found myself frequently comparing our American culture with the British recently. It really intrigues me to look at some of the similarities or differences, and realize how some of our American traditions, actions, etc. really are British influences that have either been preserved in our culture or altered. Although the British and American cultures share similarities, it's the little differences that can make a big difference. This past week and over the past two months, through various occurrances, I have come to realize on a greater level what those differences are. As a result, I have become more appreciative of my culture and the opportunities to share and explain aspects of my culture with others. For this, I am thankful.

I am proud to be from a nation that allows freedom and embraces change. Today I will celebrate in pride and raise my glass to my little blue passport and to everything that this little book now symbolizes. I will toast to my American Constitution, the electoral process, and everything that makes up our American government. I will toast to our great history and continued promise, rather than just to documents that were written a few thousand years ago. I will toast to a nation of which I am proud to be a citizen. For this, I am thankful.

This valuable blue book will continue to collect foreign stamps and visas over the next year or more, taking me great distances away from my homeland, yet always with a promise of return, and declaring my home at every country I enter with those 5 words that only begin to describe who I am: The United States of America.

Today I will not only toast my country for which I am so thankful to be a citizen, but I will say a prayer of Thanksgiving for each and every one of you. It is hard to be so far away on a day that traditionally brings together family and close friends, but know that in my heart I am there with you all. Thank you for your continued love and support, letters of encouragement to let me know I have not yet been forgotten, and care packages that I know you all are busily preparing as I write (just in case you were wondering if I would like to receive any packages..:)...!! I am so thankful that each of you has impacted my life at some point, and that you still care enough to follow me through this year as well. Without you, I would not be here today writing this letter to you from across the Atlantic, realizing how much I have to be thankful for.

I pray that each and every one of you has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

In Gratefulness and Humility,

Kelsey