Being an exchange student, my Thanksgiving was a blast. Ever since I was a kid, I have been listening to and watching American Thanksgiving either in movies or TV shows for a long time, which made me curious and actually want to experience an American Thanksgiving. So, after some 5 to 6 years, my dream became a reality, and I am actually really grateful to Allah for giving me these amazing opportunities that I experienced so many things at such a young age. I think this is what the purpose of Thanksgiving is: to be grateful to Allah for all the things in your life. 

So this is how I experienced my first Thanksgiving with my wonderful host family. We had made all the necessary arrangements for Thanksgiving. One day before Thanksgiving, my host dad bought a turkey and marinated it with oil, spices, and lemon. Then he wrapped it in several foil papers, and we all, after some time, went to my host cousin’s house, as there were three more turkeys and all of them needed to be put in a pot to cook the turkey. And it was quite interesting for me as I had never experienced it. So we all went to my host cousin’s house, and then we had a very amazing dinner with each and every one, put the turkeys in a pot, and were enjoying it. They put all the turkeys in a pit and covered it with soil, and then put some water on top to cover the incoming steam of the hot pit. And on the next day, my host dad went to check the turkey, and surprisingly, it was all cooked.

As I woke up, I greeted everyone and said “Happy Thanksgiving “to them, and they wished me too. As I got ready and stepped outside, we had set up all the tables and chairs for the guests to be seated, and then eventually all the guests came, and I had an amazing time with them. They were all so good and welcoming towards me that I could not be more grateful in my life for Allah’s blessings. When all the guests came, we took multiple pictures in the background with my American host family and all the guests. I think that it’s a tradition that whoever comes to a house for Thanksgiving brings some food for the family, like a side dish to share with everybody. So some guests brought cookies, apple pies, cheesecakes, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffings, green bean casserole, and much more. When everybody came, and the clock hit 12, my host dad recited some verses from the Bible: 34, and he prayed before we began eating. It was praying to praise Allah for all his blessings upon us, and we were thankful for the presence of everyone and how we should always be thankful, even when life feels miserable and hopeless, because there are so many things that we have that others want and consider a luxury.

Well, everybody served food for themselves, and then once we ate, we shared laughter and joy. After some 2 hours, the guest left, and we cleaned up the mess afterwards, and with joint efforts, the living room and the kitchen were cleaned in just a short duration of time. Once we were done, we packed our pajamas and one outfit for tomorrow’s wear, as we were going to Bakersfield for my grandma’s house for Thanksgiving dinner with my host mom’s side relatives. It was a two-hour drive, and once we reached, we relaxed and settled ourselves. All my host cousins and aunts were there. After some time, we ate food like turkey, chicken, cheese cakes, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and much more.

Once we ate, we played different games like Guess the Chameleon, the Spoon Game, and Loteria. I think the strangest feeling in the world is when you realise how much you will be missing a moment when you are still living it, and that happened to me at dinner when I was among people who made me feel at home and played games with me like no others.

I will forever cherish these memories. That was my story of my first-ever American Thanksgiving.