Giving thanks

I’ll admit that for the past few weeks I’ve been having a tough time in Ghana.  The heat, the bugs, the not having water, the electricity going off constantly, the bugs, the heat have been a real pain in the you know what.  A few days ago I got pink eye for the first time in my life and had to go to a clinic.  I was worried and even scared.  What would this clinic look like? How long would I have to wait? Would the doctor speak english enough to understand me? (All was calm after my visit to the clinic.  It was great, the doctor was super nice and I got the medication I needed and my eye is healing) Is my immune system finally giving in?  Is this the beginning of a long list of things that would go wrong? 

There have been many other questions as well.  Am I looking to far into my belly button and missing out on all the experiences I could be enjoying?  Am I making the most of this?  Am I really building long lasting relationships? Do I even know how?  Am I doing well at work?  Does it make a difference? Is my life here just as spoiled as it was at home? Do I still have or am I even creating prejudices?  Am I learning anything? Do I say I to much? 

In Canada today is a day to give thanks.  Sitting in my room in Ghana, Africa I am making a list.

I am thankful for:

• my amazing family who has, throughout my life, been super and even sometimes overly supportive of me
• the amazing friends back home who, even though I am on the other side of the world, keep me posted on what’s happening back home, send me love via messages and care packages and chat with me
• having the chance to be here in Africa, a place I never thought I would actually ever get to
• a life where there are choices, where to go to school, where to live, which restaurant to go to, what to drive, what to read, where to work, what to eat, whether i want to get married or have kids, what clothes to wear, all choices big and small but choices to have the life I want
• Sunday lunches with new friends that I will miss when i leave this place
• new friends in general that I will miss when I leave this place
• being able to eat a mars bar every once in a while (that being said I should really eat them more slowly but man oh man they are good)
• discovering photography
• the chance to go to Zimbabwe and Botswana for Christmas (fingers crossed that this will happen)
• the fact that Fahima, one of my little neighbours, has started going to school
• the fact that some of my little neighbours have started calling me by my name instead of saliminga (white person)
• the colour oh the many colours of this place
• the joy that comes when you find the veggie or fruit you were looking for in the market
• all the little kids playing outside that welcome me home everyday
• my neighbour Shamima’s new born daughter Vialong (not the right spelling I’m sure but it means beauty)
• the taxi drivers I use regularly who call to see how I am when I’m out of town
• and so so so much more

I’ll admit I’m full of questions and worries and although being thankful comes easily enough it usually happens in retrospect.  I guess its better late than never.  I will probably never stop questioning myself and my experiences but today I’m giving myself permission instead of feeling guilty about it.  Its thanksgiving we are aloud to reflect.  

Bonne action de grâce!