My husband is deployed and I'm too pregnant to travel comfortably these days. I wasn't sure what I'd be doing for Thanksgiving. I talked to one of my husband's friends, a single soldier who is deploying in a few days. He didn't have time to get home and back before deployment, so his father was flying out to see him off. He said they'd probably have to eat at Country Kitchen or something.
We decided to do a tiny Thanksgiving together: a 9-lb bird, just a few easy sides, and a store-bought pie. A nice meal to see a soldier off before he deploys, and something to keep me feeling like it's Thanksgiving and not just another boring day.
I don't think I've ever celebrated Thanksgiving the same way in the Army. One year we hosted six people. Another year my husband was gone and I went to a friend's house. One year we made a turkey for just the two of us. And only once were we able to go home and have Thanksgiving dinner with my husband's extended family.
But I like having the tradition of having no traditions. Every year is a surprise and no comparison to previous years. We never celebrate with the same people, the same food, or the same location.
This year I am hosting a single soldier and his father. What are you doing today?
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Today I am going to my mom's house….my soldier is too overseas, yet again. Happy Thanksgiving all.
You're exactly right, No two Thanksgivings are the same.
This year, my dh is going to serve and the kiddo and I are going to add a "family element" to the DFAC. I'm so excited, particularly since I don't have to cook!
I am so blessed to have my husband here for the holidays. He leaves again to serve the rest of his tour but I am just happy he is with us!
I too am blessed to have my Sailor here for Thanksgiving (one of the 1sts!) we cannot make it home to celebrate but are coming together with other couples our age who cannot make it home either.
A holiday is a holiday no matter where you celebrate!
I brought my kids home to my family for Thxgiving. Hubs is also overseas again… My kids love the extra attention from nana and pop!
well since he is rarely ever home for the bird day, it was strange to have him home and not go all out. But i work at a hotel that has a full thanksgiving buffet. I was at work at 5 am and left at 5pm serving those who didnt want to cook all day. and DH was at staff duty. second holiday in a row. Our babysitters all went out of town, s the kids pulled staff duty also..lol When i went to pick them up from work DH had a few min to spare so we ran to IHOP and ate dinner as a family.. nothing says thanks like pancakes!
You're right – no two are the same. This year, it's a giant potluck at church. Last year it was dinner with a few friends. The year before the kids and I flew to SoCal for a short visit with the inlaws.
The only constant is change, right?
This was our third Thanskgiving with Soldiers' Angels and a house-full of soldiers and their families. I always get to meet new, amazing people and I get to "share the love" of SpouseBuzz, Soldiers' Angels, and just a great time hanging out with military folks. This was great because DH's family now lives in the area that we have been spending Turkey Day. We always have lots of other adults to watch and entertain our kids, too!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving – no matter where you were or who you were with.
What a perfect way of putting it. We have the same tradition of no traditions, too!
And I bet that soldier was thankful for the nice meal!
We always had a turkey at home, no matter where we were stationed. Lucky for us, we were never PCSing around the holidays, and Daddy never had to be gone over the holiday (that I can remember). We did go to the mess hall a time or two, especially once Daddy had gotten to be a senior NCO. Since his retirement, except for the years I was living in AR and unable to come home, it's always been a family gathering at Grandma's house. When I couldn't come home, I might just spend the holiday with my best friend/roommate, if she was around. Got invited to dinner by someone at the office one year when I'd have otherwise been alone. Another year, got together with other single friends with no family in the area. This year, I did something a little different, once the family thing wound down. I got to go (though a little late) to the SA Thanksgiving gathering, too. It was so very nice to see some of my internet friends I don't normally get to see.
I spent time w/ my family, enjoying one another to the fullest. It was odd not having DF around, or least in the states to share our family stories, but prayerfully next year we'll have our first Thanksgiving together.
Glad to hear so many of you were able to share this time w/ family!