Thanksgiving is the most American of holidays. It is traditionally a time to gather with family and give thanks for the blessings, and bounty, of the past year no matter where in the world we happen to find ourselves.  In Italy, Thanksgiving is just not “a thing”. No big turkeys to be found at the butcher, no pumpkin pies in the bakeries, and forget about trying to find cranberries! In years past, I’ve gathered with American friends for an ex-pat Thanksgiving dinner, a sort of hybrid Italian-American celebration. This year, that is just not possible as we are once again in lockdown due to a surge in COVID cases here in Tuscany. So, how do I begin to write about Thanksgiving this year?

 This year thankfulness is tempered by the knowledge that so many are struggling due to the impact of COVID-19. This is true whether due to the direct effect of illness or to its indirect effects: loss of jobs, isolation, upended plans, loss of control or, worst of all, loss of loved ones.  Its impossible not to think of the struggling business owners (in the United States and in Italy) or of all the nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers who are sacrificing so much and absorbing so much reflected grief and pain. I am saddened for my grandchildren (and all of our children) who have not been to school since last March - I see the toll this is taking on them. I worry for the families who are divided by beliefs and priorities and politics and wonder how (if) they will come together for future Thanksgiving celebrations – for surely we will have joyous, happy, in-person celebrations again in the future.

Back in February and March, when COVID began its rampage through Italy and we were mostly confined to our homes, I started writing down one thing each day for which I was thankful. As Thanksgiving approached this year, I thought it would be a good time to revisit that list. For, despite everything, I, like most of you, have much to be thankful for.

Of course, that my family and friends remain healthy tops my list.  I am thankful that I was able to travel to the US this past summer to see my family (with a 2 week quarantine on arrival in NM and again on my return to Italy, a necessary part of travel these days). I will miss my family this holiday season, and will miss celebrating here in Italy with my big ex-pat family as we did last year, but I am thankful to have all of these people in my life and for the periods of respite during the year when we were able to connect in-person.  

 Beyond that, looking back on the list of things I wrote earlier this year, it is the little things that have brought me great joy and for which I remain thankful. My list included the smell of orange blossoms, the sound of church bells, a safe and cozy apartment here in Lucca, sunshine streaming through my windows on a cold day, straight to my front door book deliveries from Etta’s Bookstore (a wonderful English bookstore here in Lucca).

Also on the list were dinner deliveries from local restaurants, good coffee brewed at home in my Moka pot, video chats with my children and grandkids, video apperitivo with friends, crossword puzzles, the 3 small shops near my home that provided fresh vegetables, dairy products, good meats and prepared dishes throughout our lockdown. I’m always thankful for feedback from blog readers (that is especially true this year). I’m thankful for the beautiful bushes in the garden across from me, music, the sourdough starter gifted me by friends, videos and on-line lessons from Lucca Italian School, a supply of good local olive oil, and my circle of friends here and in the US who checked in frequently and shared both the worry and the joys of life to be found during this pandemic.

 I hope that you all have reasons to be thankful and hopeful this Thanksgiving and that you are safe, healthy, and ready to resume traveling as soon as it becomes possible!