School is out to celebrate the Islamic holiday of Bayram. Angie and I decided to hope on a plane and visit Istanbul for vacation (More to come on Istanbul in the next entry :-) ). Anyhow, as I am sitting on the tour bus riding through Istanbul and listening to the tour guide, I began to think about holidays.
During Bayram, families purchase a live animal which is in most cases a sheep but can also be a cow or goat. They sacrifice the animal, cook the meat and then give it to the poor. The entire family comes together to celebrate having each other and sharing with the less fortunate. The holiday lasts for 4 days and each day there is a different activity or ritual. The most important part is that the activities are completed as a family. While this principle has much more depth, I have only mentioned it to say that it makes me realize that we too often get caught up in the "holiday". We often forget the meaning or why we are doing something. We get so caught up in the commercial aspect of it all. The shopping, the decorating, the parades but somehow along the way the meaning has been lost.
This will be my first year away from my family for all of the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter etc). I must say that I am guilty of it too. When I was in the states, I only visited home once a year. Of course, I had the time off (Im a teacher lol) but I think over the years I lost the importance of being with the people who I love the most and sharing what we are thankful for and appreciating each other. Thanksgiving has turned more into a tradition of the women getting up early to cook, everybody eating, some fussing of course :-) and then watching an afternoon of football. One things that being overseas has taught me is that you have to appreciate the ones you love. It has also shown me how important it is to be thankful for and share your blessings.
In closing, I will be away from my family this year. However, when I get back I am going to make an effort to have Thanksgiving and holidays as they should be. Not filled with shopping or tension but filled with meaning. As, the holiday season approaches, I encourage everyone to think about why the holiday is important. This year, have a meaningful holiday and share with the less fortunate. Try to invite someone to dinner, give to the Salvation Army, donate food to the shelter or buy toys for a family.
During Bayram, families purchase a live animal which is in most cases a sheep but can also be a cow or goat. They sacrifice the animal, cook the meat and then give it to the poor. The entire family comes together to celebrate having each other and sharing with the less fortunate. The holiday lasts for 4 days and each day there is a different activity or ritual. The most important part is that the activities are completed as a family. While this principle has much more depth, I have only mentioned it to say that it makes me realize that we too often get caught up in the "holiday". We often forget the meaning or why we are doing something. We get so caught up in the commercial aspect of it all. The shopping, the decorating, the parades but somehow along the way the meaning has been lost.
This will be my first year away from my family for all of the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter etc). I must say that I am guilty of it too. When I was in the states, I only visited home once a year. Of course, I had the time off (Im a teacher lol) but I think over the years I lost the importance of being with the people who I love the most and sharing what we are thankful for and appreciating each other. Thanksgiving has turned more into a tradition of the women getting up early to cook, everybody eating, some fussing of course :-) and then watching an afternoon of football. One things that being overseas has taught me is that you have to appreciate the ones you love. It has also shown me how important it is to be thankful for and share your blessings.
In closing, I will be away from my family this year. However, when I get back I am going to make an effort to have Thanksgiving and holidays as they should be. Not filled with shopping or tension but filled with meaning. As, the holiday season approaches, I encourage everyone to think about why the holiday is important. This year, have a meaningful holiday and share with the less fortunate. Try to invite someone to dinner, give to the Salvation Army, donate food to the shelter or buy toys for a family.
It has been awhile since you have 'wrote'. I thought perhaps you had grown tired. So you are in a different place, learning even more customs and cultures. And from this story learning to humble yourself and notice what life is truly all about. If we were to 'love' like our brothers and sisters in the Middle East; I believe the world would be a better place. Give and it shall be given back, pressed down and plenty; is the word written in the Bible. Your family I am sure loves you deeply and misses you. The 'holidays' will be again. You will have your chance to show all that you have learned abroad. Enjoy and continue to flourish.
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