Obviously, the move to India has not been an unqualified success. I have had a lot to grumble and complain about. The oddities of the school, the white person tax, the constant need for patience.
And, of course, my wife’s six week absence due to visa paperwork has permanently colored the entire country in a negative hue. Co-dependent that I am, I can barely stand to be away from Merideth for one day, much less six weeks.
And tomorrow, on Thanksgiving, I will spend the day teaching, and grading, and, hopefully, contacting the ones I love for just a moment to wish them well.
But, Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving, and forced though it may be, I do have some things I am grateful for:
My kids: These two people are awesome. There are not many small ones who could handle the bizarre requests we make of them on a regular basis. They are smart, and funny, and independent. They love easily and they feel deeply. No child could be better suited to me than these two wonders. They are travelers, and adventurers, and explorers. And adorable to boot.
Facebook: I would have gone insane long ago were it not for my ability to stay in touch with friendly faces, however tenuously, through Facebook. It gives me the illusion of contact. I have many nights stayed up, watching the updates roll in, and felt a tiny bit closer to home.
Skype: There are a few people I speak to almost daily. They are dear, dear friends. And my fear of being forgotten is countered by the digital love they send down the interwebs.
Friends: I have many. I used to have so very few. It is a constant wonder to me, and I am very, very thankful.
Limca: A lemon soda sold in India. It is delicious, cheap, and cold. And as bad for me as Coke, without the cultural baggage.
Sidarji’s: My grocer delivers food to my house after I call in an order. It saves me so much time and energy.
Manmohan Singh: The Sikh taxi driver who tells fabulous stories about fighting leopards with his turban.
Monkeys: Evil, but more fun to watch than any other wildlife in the world.
Crowley: Our black cat. Who just scratched me, as if to remind me he had better be on this list.
The views.
The Himalayas.
The gorgeous moon.
My wife.
So, I begin this year’s Thanksgiving (or lack of it), being thankful for what I have, and longing for it to be closer to me. 
I moved to India. I mean, why the hell not, right? 
Please come home. You have succeeded! You have weathered it out by yourself and done a wonderful job. You make us all so proud.
Having said all that. Get your exit strategy together now and come home. You can regroup and decide things from there.
I love you so much. You have been the best husband and father to my daughter and grandchildren. I hate that you are so far away and Merideth isn’t there with you. She is just as miserable.
It’s been a great cultural learning experience for you and the kids. But, you need to be with friends and family.
I hope you will really consider it. You have had successes. Does not matter how long you stay, only that you had the experience.
We love you and miss you. Austin is not the same without you!
Happy Thanksgiving Will – I am thankful for you and your family. I count you among the dearest friends in my life. We’ve been far apart physically for a while now, but I hope you guys know how dear you are to our hearts.
Not ready to come home yet, though I am ready for Merideth to return. It seems unfair to judge a place until I have been here at least a year.
Do miss the family. A lot.
The sentiment is the same on our end. We still claim you are some of our closest friends, regardless of the miles between us. Although maybe we can work on this whole distance problem at some point in the future.
I shouldn’t have said come home. You have much more to do there. I am so selfish, I forget that sometimes. I have to believe that this visa thing will be worked out and Merideth will be back at your side, soon. Bureaucratic processes are a nightmare. I think they are meant to be. Things will feel better when Merideth gets back. I know she is miserable, too but, trying to get things accomplished while she is here to reconcile the time away. Let me be more supportive from now on. You have accomplished much for the time you have been there and you will continue to do that. You and Merideth are inspirations. I can only imaging the things y’all have seen and done. We are all very proud of you and the kids and Merideth. Things will work out soon so you can continue on together. Love you and keep blogging….the good and the bad. We love reading about it.