Thanksmas

It is always good to be with family. As we have explained here before, it is difficult for many Americans here to celebrate Thanksgiving on the day itself. It falls om a Thursday, in the middle of the week. No one gets free from work here on a Thursday. So those of us here in the Netherlands and Belgium plan a day after Thanksgiving and before Christmas to get together and share our favorite holiday foods, see each other again and maybe even play some games or watch an American football game. We call it Thanksmas. 

Two years ago we organized it in Maastricht because of some covid restrictions. Last year Shirley and I organized it, but we both got sick on the day itself and had top bow out. But most years Carol and Paul Brazle in Antwerp organize the day. This year we were more or less back to normal and it was good to see everyone again. 

This is a day when young and old can gather (we had 5 year-olds and 90 year-olds). We have couples who are half American, but they bring their spouses as well. We have some who are connected tangentially with the US. We come from around Belgium and throughout the Netherlands. I think we had a good 40 or more sitting at table. 

Shirley and I enjoyed some conversations with Henk and Celia Rog who we have known for quite some time. We also got to see Jim and Ruth Krumrei with whom Scott worked 40 years ago. We hope to get back up to Haarlem soon to spend some more time with them (they are our 90 year-olds). But I also got to play a game of “war” with the 5 year-old before we left. 

That is the beauty of this day. It is a time for family, no matter how the family is formed. This was a meeting of God’s family. Most of us are children of God (although some are still considering that step). We love being able to share that love and life with one another. And of course most of us are missing seeing our natural family and broader Christian family. But this day reminds us of how blessed we are to have family. 

We pray that you too were able to enjoy your family time together (we enjoyed seeing lots of pictures, wondering at how everyone is growing up so quickly). And we, together with you, want to remember that we do not have to wait for special days to spend time together, although meeting in a larger group may have to indeed wait for such a day. We look forward to the day we can all be Home for a thanksgiving time and home-coming. 

(Many thanks to Carol Brazle for the picture. This is one of two tables)