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Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all we have and express gratitude to those around us.
Everyone has different reasons to feel gratitude during one of America’s oldest traditions.
A Central Florida family celebrated a special Thanksgiving with wine and grape juice, spanning three continents: America, India and Europe.
« I’m grateful for this community because I don’t have any family in the area. I’m just happy to have so much company on Thanksgiving, » host Carla Spence said.
Her household was filled with new friends, including the Guptas, who moved to Oviedo two years ago.
Mayank Gupta posted on a Facebook community page they wanted to have a first-ever traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a local family.
« I’m thankful for the community and the experience we’re having here, lucky to celebrate our first Thanksgiving with Carla’s family. That is a great and wonderful thing for us, » Gupta said.
« I thought, that’s perfect, and then he’s from India and my partner is also from India and his wife and I have a similar education background. I thought we’d have a lot in common and it could be a lot of fun, » Spence said.
« It’s always good, you know, wherever there is food and family and friends, it’s always worth celebrating, » Mayank’s wife, Diva Gupta, said.
Diva Gupta is from Mauritius, a small island off the east coast of Madagascar. Another guest at Spence’s table is neighbor Gloria Moore from Birmingham, England.
« I wouldn’t have been done anything for Thanksgiving if it wasn’t for Carla. I’m thankful she asked me to come around today. This has been great, » Moore said.
Carla called this a traditional/non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner because they’re vegetarians. There’s mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, spinach pie, macaroni and cheese biscuits and much more, plus a delicious sweet potato and peanut butter soup.
Everybody, right down to the youngest guest, are grateful this Thanksgiving.
« I’m thankful for having a family that’s all here, » Spence’s son, Trent Fidance, said.
« I’m thankful for my house and my education, my family and my dog, » his sister Callia added.
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