Giving Thanks

by Nicole Tardio, IWM serving in Mongu, Zambia

Thanksgiving will no doubt be different this year. There will be no turkey or stuffing or pumpkin pie, but the best thing about Thanksgiving is the spirit of the holiday and it can be celebrated anywhere you are. Sure the holiday is definitely about the food but more so it is about giving thanks for all that we are given. I have so many things to be thankful for; here are just a few:

The thing I will miss the most is being around my family especially at Thanksgiving time. At the same time I am most thankful for the support I have at home from my family, friends, and the Incarnate Word Community. The prayers, letters, e-mails, and skype chats mean so much to me and for this I give thanks.

I am thankful for this opportunity; to live among the people of Mongu, to learn something new each day, and to be on this journey discovering me :)

I am thankful for the start of mango season.

I am thankful for my health. Each day I care for people who are my age and younger who are terminally ill with HIV. They live gracefully with an illness that controls their daily lives. I am deeply saddened for all affected by this disease.

I am thankful for my community and all the Sisters here in Zambia because they are an awesome support system!

I am thankful for a cool breeze or a soaking rain on a hot day.

I am thankful for my faith.

I am thankful for the friends I have made here so far, and for each smiling face I see everyday.

I am thankful for the beautiful sunsets.

I thank God for each of these things and many many more. As I spend this Thursday here in Zambia, for most everyone else around me it will just be a normal Thursday. What is great about the people here is each day is about giving thanks. One of the most common phrases I hear throughout a day is “nii tu mezi” which means thank you in Lozi. As a whole the people are so thankful by nature and look at even the small things in life as gifts from God. I strive to embody this graciousness today and everyday!