thanksgiving in afghanistan

posted by: Emilie
well, here we are....me, the physical therapist, the dentist, and the PA, enjoying our delicious thanksgiving lunch :) The cooks at the DFAC ((dining facility) are mostly all from Chechnya. which makes for a rather interesting twist on traditional american food. Our menu included Turkey (which was actually quite tasty), instant mashed potatoes, canned yams, canned green beens, canned cranberry sauce, cornbread stuffing (which was....interesting), and a few other things. overall, it was actually pretty good. it was really very nice to have something familiar, and to know that in our own little way we were participating in the holiday along with our families.

in a way it is really hard to be away from home at Thanksgiving. of course i thought a lot today about all the amazing thanksgivings we have spent in my parent's big victorian house, or in North Carolina with all of my aunts and uncles and cousins, or gathered around the Stickley table trying to make a dent in the 1,000 dishes his grandma has prepared, or watching the sunset in hawaii with Tim and Beth and Melody at Gordon Biersch. But although it is tough to be away, i can't help focusing on all of the things i am so incredibly thankful for. And the list is so long, and so amazing, that it really puts it all in perspective.

anyway, thanksgiving was good overall. i did have a busy day in the Aid Station. a very sick soldier with a mystery diagnosis that i had to evacuate to the next level of care (Where they have a CT Scanner), and a guy who totally blew his knee out playing football that i also will have to evacuate. and then a whole bunch of people with sore throats, and runny noses, and coughs and sneezes.

well, i am off to bed, but i am thinking about all of my dear friends and family at home. I am beyond thankful for the love and support from all of you!!!!