With this being the holiday
season, one cannot help but think of family, home, and all that goes with
it. This year marks a first for
me. I will be celebrating the holidays
on the other side of the world without the holiday markings of Christmas trees,
snow, crowded homes, and family.
The feeling of being gone is mixed. On one hand it is hard to not see family and nieces and
nephews growing up, but on the other hand I find myself quite happy in the life
change that has brought me to such a strange and far away place.
This last week was the first
holiday of the season; Thanksgiving.
In the spirit of sharing our American holiday with the other
nationalities represented in our school, one of our art teachers was kind
enough to paint a beautiful tree across a large window in a common area that
the staff and students pass through; a large black trunk and branches covered
with leaves of every color. There
was a basket left in front of the tree with slips of paper that read, “I am
thankful for…” As the week went on
students and staff alike would write what they were thankful for and then tape
it up on the branches of the tree, thus making it our Thankful Tree. You couldn’t pass by the beautiful
window without smiling and feeling happy.
If you were to stop and read the wall you would find everything from
children saying they were thankful for mom and dad, school, fruits and
vegetables, teachers, and the Thankful Tree. Staff wrote things that varied from family at home, their
Shanghai family, cream cheese, stretchy pants, and good friends. I found myself reading through them the
afternoon after we had our Thanksgiving potluck at school and found myself a
bit misty eyed. Not because I was
homesick from reading everyone’s notes about family, but because I felt such
happiness. We all get caught up in
the whirlwind of every day life and forget to take stalk in what really
matters. We all had so many things
to be thankful for. 
While sitting around enjoying
saki on the roof of a building several weeks ago I was asked what I missed the
most about home and what I loved the most about being in Shanghai. For me, of course I miss my friends and
family, but what I miss most is an easy one; my students. I spent more time with them in the last
two years then with anyone else in my life. The bond that was built there and the investment one puts
into the life of a child is boundless. The thing I love the most since moving here just three
short months ago was also an easy one to think of. Coming here, not necessarily China, but abroad non-the-less,
was a dream that had been shelved over a decade ago. I have finally been able to follow the wind and join the
society of people who call not just one spot on a map home, but where ever I
happen to land. No matter where I
end up I know I will have friends and family. They are timeless and follow you everywhere.
It took a bit of time to settle
into my home and culture here in China.
Now that life here has a rhythm I can say without any hesitation that I
couldn’t be happier. Just the other night while walking home with a friend, she
turned to me and said that she admired how happy I was and could see the change
in me. I find myself very content
with life right now and feel very lucky to have been strong enough to make a
life change and follow my dreams.
When I’m old and gray I don’t want to be regretful of the things I never
did and the things I was too scared to pursue.
So, as December approaches
bringing with it my birthday, Christmas and New Years, I know that I will not
be spending it with friends and family from back home, nor will I be spending
it alone, but with my new Shanghai family. I will miss those from home, but I
will be happy and thankful to be sharing this time with some amazingly
wonderful people here.
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