I was to go back to Norway for a meeting and was ordering tickets. Oh now, I will miss thanksgiving! I tried, but as there were no flights out of San Fransisco, I arrived there midday yesterday and spent five hours at the airport. Since we lived in Indiana I have loved thanksgiving, and we celebrate it every year. The first year with a box full of goodies sent to us in Norway from Steve and Susan!

Think of that, a holiday for giving thanks! As I do not have all the emotional strings attached to how and when and who, I also love the home cooked traditional fare. If you do not care which sides and pies you cook, cooking a turkey is a lot easier than say a barbecue. In short, I did not want to miss thanksgiving, even if it seemed I had too.

Did I miss thanksgiving? Not at all. What I did was being allowed to experience even more of the things I am thankful for and love about America.

It started in Oslo. While passing through our headquarters on my way to the meeting I saw four dressed up people eagerly waiting for to be picked up. Why? They were invited to the American Embassy for a big thanksgiving dinner. Not a publicity stunt, but as a true thank you for the way this non-profit contributes to the Norwegian and the world community.

Thank you, America, for the times you show us how to appreciate charity and volunteers!

Then I landed in San Fransisco. Everyone greeted me, and I them, with happy holidays. And of course I thanked them for their service. That is another thing I appreciate here. I see people thank any teacher they meet for their service. I see people bake cookies for the fire brigade and hand out gifts for their mailman. Just to say thank you, we know we need each other.

Thank you, America, for the times you show us that making a society takes everybody!

Then, as I was sitting on the not too comfy chairs, so tired I hardly could keep my head up, I was awakened by a familiar, enticing smell and tingling laughter. Two airport workers were going down the corridors, each carrying a roasted turkey, and surrounded by lots of others, carrying drinks and sides. As they passed me, I heard a woman say to a young hispanic boy. “Now you won’t be that sorry that you miss thanksgiving with your family!” They were so close that  I could hear his answer. “You at the airport is the only family I’ve got.”

Thank you, America, for the times you take care of the fatherless and those in need!

Then, as I was sitting there, my husband and daughter were having a really special thanksgiving party with our new-found friends in Santa Barbara. Included in the family circle, enjoying themselves immensely, and sent home with left overs for me to have when I come home.

Thank you, Dale and Steve, for showing us America at the best. The country that reaches out, includes, and creates a new community. We are grateful.

In November I take part in the NaBloPoMo,  in the BlogHer network. I post every day on “The Untangling Tens” what women do when life gets tangled. These are the ten tools that worked for those I have asked, what are yours?

All pictures in this blog are taken by me, Solveig Mjolsnes. This is a house of an old farm in Norway. A story which will be told later!