I'm THANKFUL for...

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I believe this is the appropriate time to blog about being thankful. Six months ago I was not as consciously thankful as I am now. I often overlooked and to an extent took advantage of those closest and most accessible to me. People, items, and luxuries all fall into these categories.

I am thankful for the amazing family and friends I have in my life. Whether you are my oldest friend, my closest relative or newest friend, I truly am thankful for you. Ghana has opened my eyes to the importance of relationships we have and create with each other. So for all of you I have a relationship with, whether it be big or small, thank you!

So those relationships spoken of above are the serious matter to my blogging, but being in a developing country also makes one very thankful for some other luxuries and items. These things are often, and easily, overlooked by those they are commonly available too. (Believe me, six months ago I would not have been thankful for rest stops!)

Rest stops and/or McDonald’s: public restrooms are a great convenience in America. Now I understand and appreciate a Mickey D’s every exit on the highway. After two years without these, I’ll have one heck-of-a digestive and urinary system.

Education: our education is so valuable and until I was placed in a rural village where some children cannot or do not go school, I never actually purposely thought how lucky I am to have had such a great education.

Citronella candles: I seriously, all joking aside, cannot stand bugs. Torches, candles, and oil...whatever chemicals and concoctions make these citronella gadgets I’m all for it.

Trees: For the shade they provide when the sun is beaming and the temperature is in the triple digits.

PAVED ROADS: As I am about to embark on a two-day journey down to Accra, I can only dream to be driving down I-94 again en route to Detroit. Please look at a map of Ghana, notice the distance from Wa to Accra, and figure how that short distance takes 12-15 hours.

Washing machines: These women (and men) are remarkably fast at hand washing clothes. I could potentially be fast, but they would never be clean in any way.

Simplicity: The peace and contentment I have come to experience without the ‘luxuries’ like electricity, personal vehicles, and running water is comforting. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no tree hugger now, I love coming into Wa to have any type of chilled drink or taxis for easy accessibility around town, but to know it’s possible to live simple is reassuring.

Currently, I am very thankful for being so blessed to have the opportunity to come to Ghana to help develop this wonderful country. I’ve been at site for three months now, and after In-Service Training in December, I will begin working on and starting projects with my community. I am thankful for Ghana, my community, the people in my community, and of course my dog Ace!

As we all should be, I am thankful for this wonderful life in general. For my health, my family and friends health, and for all of you reading this, for your health too. Remember to give thanks to those who mean the most to you this Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

peace.&.love.&.hugs