Thanksgiving

I always knew that I would end up writing something about California before I left it.  A list of all the food I would miss.  The city that I grew up in and rediscovered as an adult.  The city where I grew to become an adult.  The jobs I’ve had.  I may still get to all these topics, but as I came into Thanksgiving last week, I realized that leaving is more about the smaller moments.

Late fall in California is likely a bit different than other places in the states.  On the east coast, there are severe temperature drops and the first signs of winter.  But in California, especially in San Diego, we get cold, crisp air, but with a shining sun, which makes for some of the most beautiful days you’ll ever experience.  And as I left work the day before Thanksgiving, I found myself in the midst of one of those days, with Bruno Mars serendipitously coming on the radio in my car, and I realized that this was my last Thanksgiving for the foreseeable future.

For me, Thanksgiving has always been the holiday to look forward to.  My family often traveled around during Christmas time, so my sense of home has been entrenched with those four days in late November.  Since I’ve always been in California, I don’t think I’ve actually ever missed a Thanksgiving with my family.  Growing up, it was the comfort of turkey, mashed potatoes, and yams, a treat for someone who was accustomed to Chinese food every other day of the year.  Sometimes even a honey-baked ham, which could lead to omelets Thanksgiving morning.  In college, it was a time to reconnect with friends who went to different colleges.  Usually it’d be only that time of year to see people, as the longer spring, winter, and summer breaks kept people scattered.

And now, as ew and I begin something new together, Thanksgiving represents what I’ll likely miss the most about California.  That feeling of community, where the slow-pace of beautiful cold fall days reinforces the ties that we have built all our lives, from friends I’ve known since elementary school to family that has only grown since I’ve been with ew.  I know that ew and I will only expand our home, but for now, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as one more Thanksgiving has come and gone.