Yesterday was the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving in Germany, known as Erntedankfest, is also celebrated in October (usually the first Sunday), but is not a national holiday like in Canada. Feeling inspired by all the family dinner get-togethers and celebrations I was seeing on my Canadian family and friend’s Facebook pages, I decided that we too should have a small Thanksgiving celebration. I felt it was also an opportunity to explain to Little T the significance of Thanksgiving in both countries.

Hubby mentioned on Sunday that we had a bag of brussels sprouts to make that he had purchased at the market. To accompany them, I thought a nice pork roast and Hefeklöße (yeast dumplings that are steamed on a tea towel over a big pot of boiling water) would make a nice meal for our German/Canadian celebration (nicer yet with Hubby making it all!). And the best part about Hefeklöße is that you get to reserve one for throwing at each other after the meal – a tradition passed down from Ralph’s mother Marion.

Thanksgiving really is a special time. What I like about the holiday is that it doesn’t involve giving gifts. It is a time to celebrate the harvest, to be thankful for all we have, and to reflect on what really matters in life.

With candles lit and the table decorated with ornamental gourds, we each took a turn saying thanks. I was thankful for family, friends, and health. Hubby was thankful for the food we are blessed with on a daily basis. Little T was thankful for receiving pocket money each week, but then went on to say that he wasn’t thankful that Mommy won’t let him buy any more Lego with it. With a smile, we explained that when giving thanks, we should just remember what we are thankful for. It’s like me saying thanks for family, but not for spiders.

Little T responded by asking when he can throw a Hefeklöße at us.