Happy Thanksgiving from Thailand
There is an old riddle that goes like this:
Q: Do they celebrate the Fourth of July in England?
A: Yes. Right after July 3rd and before July 5th
As some of us from HFHEKC prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving in Thailand, the question that comes to mind is, “Is there a Thanksgiving Day in Thailand?”
From my recent experience, it appears that in many ways and for many of the people we have met here, everyday is a day of giving thanks. Nancy and I, and the other 18 folks from HFHEKC, have experienced this at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Chiangmai and in other travel experiences while in Thailand.
Pathit, who normally is fairly reserved and is not used to talking to a group of strangers, and his wife Kloy, touched the hearts of locals and farang (foreigners) alike, as they spoke of how their Habitat home provides hope for their 2 month old baby, who they have nicknamed “Rosalynn.” After visiting their current home in a slum community of Chiangmai built on “public land” over an open sewer canal which floods every rainy season and is sprayed weekly with DDT because the adjoining steel plant doesn’t like the mosquitoes, it is easy to understand why Pathit says he was “tired of his life.” But now he has hope in his heart, and a smile on his face, as he talks about his family’s future and gives thanks to his Habitat family, to all the volunteers who helped him build his home and to the donors who supported them. Pathit, who seemed a little skeptical on Monday when we all arrived at the build site en mass, hugged each volunteer on Friday and told each of them “I love you.”
So this Thanksgiving Day is a day to celebrate and recognize the thanks we give and receive every day of the year. I see thanks given every day at Habitat. From Penelope, in her barely reserved excitement and uncontrollable, albeit quiet, “Yippee!” as she learns the date for the dedication of her home has been set. From Alyssa, effusing thanks that her husband Mike is home from his tour of duty and will now be able to experience firsthand the building of their new home. From Lola, that her son Patrick has opportunities for further education even though based on life circumstances “It shouldn’t happen, but it is happening!” From Mirna, reflecting on her humble origins in Mexico, and giving thanks for the opportunities she will be able to provide her children.
And so too, I am thankful. I am thankful for my Habitat family especially our great staff and AmeriCorps team. I’m thankful for our community that is so supportive of the Habitat mission, in good economic times and in bad. I’m thankful for our volunteers: Board, Advisory Board, Committee, Office and Construction, that give so selflessly throughout the year. And I’m thankful for our families, that teach me thanks giving every day.
This Thanksgiving, I wish you peace in your hearts and in the world; Blessings for all your families.
Happy Thanksgiving from Thailand.
Tom
Tom Granger
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of East King County
(425) 869-6007
Q: Do they celebrate the Fourth of July in England?
A: Yes. Right after July 3rd and before July 5th
As some of us from HFHEKC prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving in Thailand, the question that comes to mind is, “Is there a Thanksgiving Day in Thailand?”
From my recent experience, it appears that in many ways and for many of the people we have met here, everyday is a day of giving thanks. Nancy and I, and the other 18 folks from HFHEKC, have experienced this at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Chiangmai and in other travel experiences while in Thailand.
Pathit, who normally is fairly reserved and is not used to talking to a group of strangers, and his wife Kloy, touched the hearts of locals and farang (foreigners) alike, as they spoke of how their Habitat home provides hope for their 2 month old baby, who they have nicknamed “Rosalynn.” After visiting their current home in a slum community of Chiangmai built on “public land” over an open sewer canal which floods every rainy season and is sprayed weekly with DDT because the adjoining steel plant doesn’t like the mosquitoes, it is easy to understand why Pathit says he was “tired of his life.” But now he has hope in his heart, and a smile on his face, as he talks about his family’s future and gives thanks to his Habitat family, to all the volunteers who helped him build his home and to the donors who supported them. Pathit, who seemed a little skeptical on Monday when we all arrived at the build site en mass, hugged each volunteer on Friday and told each of them “I love you.”
So this Thanksgiving Day is a day to celebrate and recognize the thanks we give and receive every day of the year. I see thanks given every day at Habitat. From Penelope, in her barely reserved excitement and uncontrollable, albeit quiet, “Yippee!” as she learns the date for the dedication of her home has been set. From Alyssa, effusing thanks that her husband Mike is home from his tour of duty and will now be able to experience firsthand the building of their new home. From Lola, that her son Patrick has opportunities for further education even though based on life circumstances “It shouldn’t happen, but it is happening!” From Mirna, reflecting on her humble origins in Mexico, and giving thanks for the opportunities she will be able to provide her children.
And so too, I am thankful. I am thankful for my Habitat family especially our great staff and AmeriCorps team. I’m thankful for our community that is so supportive of the Habitat mission, in good economic times and in bad. I’m thankful for our volunteers: Board, Advisory Board, Committee, Office and Construction, that give so selflessly throughout the year. And I’m thankful for our families, that teach me thanks giving every day.
This Thanksgiving, I wish you peace in your hearts and in the world; Blessings for all your families.
Happy Thanksgiving from Thailand.
Tom
Tom Granger
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of East King County
(425) 869-6007
posted by Jodi at
11:47 PM
