I am thankful...

So I was trying to Google “Thanksgiving Quotes” in search of a bold and prominent title for my next update, but then I suddenly stopped. I am thankful. Simple? Yes, but I think that says it all. Every year at Thanksgiving, my family has always gathered in order to recount what we are most thankful for… throw into that equation some football/feasting/slumbering and you have yourselves a pretty glorious day! I have been so blessed in having such a loving and supportive family. Although I am across seas this year, I have been able to spend the day reflecting on a few events which could be considered “tragic” – yet I am thankful that they occurred because I have been able to grow and learn through such adversity.

I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to participate in a plethora of sports/hobbies for my entire life. When I was three years old, I saw the chick-flick “Beaches” (for Stephen’s birthday party… wow mom and dad, way to set up your son for getting a smack-down at school!) In the movie, a young girl is dressed in a costume which is composed of rhinestones and glitter. She flips into a hand stand and slowly climbs up a series of stairs… mind you, still on her hands. Years later my mom told me that I had leaned over with hopeful, glimmering eyes and asked - if I could accomplish such a feat… could I possibly have a costume as sparkling and glorious as that in the movie? Needless to say, as soon as we returned home, my parents heard banging and saw me hurling my little body in attempts to master such a challenge. I was enrolled in gymnastics the next day. Thus began the plethora of sports and hobbies which I loved… ballroom dancing, ballet, tap, jazz, modern, character, rhythmic gymnastics, cheerleading, piano, flute, golf, tennis, baton, flying planes (private pilot’s license!), horseback riding and swimming, swimming, swimming. During high school and the first year of college, I was a swimmer. And by swimmer, I mean… that was my life. Literally… swim, study, eat, sleep. Athletics certainly instilled in me a hard work ethic and drive, however – sometimes I was little, well… extreme. I would love to have fun with my friends, but I would always be “that girl” asleep on a Friday night in order to be well-rested for practice on Saturday morning. Three weeks before my freshman year at Miami, mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember dad calling me from the hospital and surprising me with the wretched news. I did not want to believe it because - common, it is mom! That just does not occur in my family, right? Umm, not so much. I was not a happy camper about the entire situation, but I was thankful that I would be attending Miami University – only two hours from home, as opposed to attending college across the country. As I continued to swim my freshman year, mom and dad were able to come to all of my home meets – despite the two hour drive and chemotherapy/radiation treatments. No matter how tired she was or how much pain she encountered, she would always be so positive, encouraging, supportive, and full of life! I realized how important LIFE is – that I began swimming when I was younger because I loved the sport! However, during my freshman year of college, I realized that I did not love the sport anymore because it was consuming my entire life. I loved the hard work, but my heart was no longer in the sport because I longed to experience – truly experience life!

I am thankful that mom’s cancer is in remission. Although the sickness was not something that our family wanted, my mom was able to influence so many individuals with her whole-hearted faith and positive attitude. After I stopped swimming, I had a difficult time knowing what to do with myself… I suddenly had five hours in the day that I was not training! However, I was thankful that my parents fully supported my decision. Since I decided to major in Accounting, I engulfed myself in studying… 24-7. During my sophomore and junior years, I think I studied a little too much… However, that constant strive toward perfection would just set me up for failure! How frustrating! During my senior year, I decided to take a new approach to life in general… just try my best and be joyful – not happy – with the result. I know that there will be times when I fail in life – but that I am learn from each shortcoming. I can help to share my experiences in order to help others. During my senior year, it was the first time that I actually went “uptown” and danced and had fun with my friends in college [thanks, Coops ;) ] I still tried my best with my grades and school work, but I did not allow a less-than-stellar grade to taint my attitude. I left Miami loving absolutely everything! I am so thankful that I learned that our imperfections really do make us unique and fun to be around!! (ok, I know it sounds corny, but tough beans). Oh by the way, I also learned how much I love to dance again! =)

I am thankful that I have this opportunity to live in Paris – I cannot tell everyone how much I adore every day in this city of light! I love attending school – being a little sponge and absorbing as much as I can from my Chefs. Mom came to visit last week and unfortunately her stay was cut short due to, well, let’s just say that she and stairs do not get along. I received a call from school, “Sarah, I fell down the stairs and I need to go to the hospital, but I don’t know French.” Really? Sure enough. I immediately ran home (which by the way is literally a two-minute run!) and up the nine flights of stairs. I opened my door and found mom sitting on my couch – with frozen chicken and turkey cold-cuts on her ankle. I must have a quizzical/blank expression on my face as she proceeded to explain that since I did not have ice in my freezer, she had to use the meat (since it was cold) – in order to subside the swelling. I will never look at sliced “poulet” in the same manner… never again. But wait, it gets better. As many of you have read in the news, many of the Metro/RER/transportation workers are currently on strike. Since we were unable to find an empty taxi (since all were in service), we called the firefighters and they came to my apartment. French firefighters will forever have a place in my heart =) They were so genuine and sincere… as I was answering questions and conversing in French with one of the firefighters, mom was just sitting there smiling. No crying, no whining… just a big smile with poulet wrapped around her ankle =) The x-rays confirmed a break and we patiently watched the intern wrap her foot in a cast. I was tempted to be obnoxious and sign my name on her boot, but then I figured that she had already been through enough drama for the day. Oh yes… do you remember when I locked myself out of my apartment a few months ago and I was forced to run around the streets of Paris in my little black pajamas? This is SO much better than that… whenever a cast is wrapped around your leg, it is usually wise to remove your pants (otherwise one would be forced to cut the pants in order to remove them over the cast). Fortunately mom thought of such a situation. Unfortunately, we did not have a dress for her to wear back to my flat. Fortunately I had a long coat on. Unfortunately it was a little short on her. Way to run around Paris in your underwear, mom. Stellar job. What can I say… like mother, like daughter? (I am thankful that it was mid-night and not a plethora of Parisians were out!) The next day we received a phone call that dad had been at work, but was suddenly overcome with a colossal amount of pain. He went down to the ER (good thing he is a doctor and was already at the hospital!) and sure enough – kidney stones. Ouch. I felt so horrible – my parents were falling apart!!! However, I was thankful that even though mom had to leave early – she was able to be with dad and also verify that her leg was “set” correctly. We also enjoyed watching the Eiffel Tower glitter every night from my living room, as well as the Parisians who live across the street from me… hehe =)

Although life is not always rainbows and butterflies, I know that challenges ultimately allow us to grow. Sometimes we do not know why such terribly unfair disasters and calamities occur – but everything truly does occur for a reason. I cannot thank each of you enough for teaching me so much through the years. I promise each of you that I will try my best every day – not to strive towards perfection, but to try my best and be joyful with the results (even if an unfavorable situation arises). And to have FUN - because, well… I am thankful =)

All my love to each of you from Paris,
SB =)