Two years ago we spent Thanksgiving in Fillmore, in the
empty Melville house. That morning we got crackers for Allie, who remarked how
Miss Sue[1] had those crackers at
school. We watched A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on a travel DVD player.
One year ago, I was transitioning off of my crutches, and
scared out of my mind for the upcoming Wednesday. I had a hard time believing
that that was actually going to be the last time I would see my family. I had a
hard time believing I would actually be able to tolerate being gone for so
long.
But here I am, and I still have not seen my family. But it does
not feel that way, because I have called twice and I get weekly correspondence
in writing. Today I looked at the blogs,[2] and that was what made me
realize how long I've actually been gone. I can't believe the age of my niece
and nephews, one of whom I've never seen. I think Preston appears to have aged
the least. Do not infer that I am homesick, because I am not. I just cannot
believe how much time has passed.
This Thanksgiving is kind of a day off for us. We have our
regular morning schedule until 10:00, then we can do whatever we want. We've
been invited to two dinners so far, so hopefully they're at different times. I
think I'll make this amazing spiced cider some members gave us a few weeks ago,
and I tried my hand at it one morning. Warming apple juice with stick cinnamon
and whole cloves in it tastes amazing and leaves a really good smell.[3] It will be a nice
Thanksgiving and Christmas treat. This Thursday is also the three year
anniversary of the first time Preston spun in circles.
The next day starts the yuletide season and is also my year
mark! Scary! This week we helped a member with some yard work, and we took some
trimmed evergreen bush branches for a natural, somewhat fragrant decoration. We
don't have tools in our apartment, however, so I don't know how I'm going to
turn the pruning into a festive hanging. But it will work out somehow.
I can just imagine Thanksgiving a year from now. I'll be at
some member dinner and the conversation will go something like this:
Member: Now, Elder Melville, you just started your mission,
didn't you?[4]
Me: No, actually I've been out a while.
Member: Oh? When do you go home?
Me: Monday.
Member: Oh, wow, are you excited?
Me: Not really.
Member: Really?
Me: Yeah, I mean, it'll be nice to see my family, but I'm
really sad to leave.
Member: Aww. So where else have you served?
Me: I started out in Mead, north Spokane, then I went to
East Wenatchee, then I went to Ritzville and Davenport, then I went to [my next
area], then I came here.
Member: East Wenatchee--did you like it over there?...
This is how a lot of member conversations go, but without
the part about going home.
Holidays sure are different as a missionary. It can be very
difficult for it to feel like any given holiday. The New Year was my favorite
mission holiday so far. And after this Thursday, I'll have come full circle.
Ever since leaving my first area I've been much more inclined to try to make it
feel like the upcoming holiday. I just wish I hadn't bought so much
Thanksgiving candy; we still have over three pounds we have to eat. Today and
at district meeting on Wednesday I'm going to do a lot of sharing. Because
candy corn can get bland pretty fast.
Thanksgiving wishes, harvest love, and year-mark sincerity,
Elder Melville
P.S. I don't know how much time I'll have next week, because
we may not be in Cheney for P-day. We found a new person to teach but it sounds
like Mondays are the only days that work for them, and the Ritzville library
may limit our time more than here. (The Davenport library isn't open on Monday,
and that's why we have to come all the way up to Cheney on Mondays.)
[1]
Allie’s preschool teacher.
[2]
I would look at family blogs during email time. I figured that was just like
reading letters.
[3]
It has been a tradition for me for Thanksgiving and Christmas ever since then.
[4]
Indeed, people did think I was new even in my last area.
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