November 26, 2005, 12:10am

Just want to write about my first Thanksgiving here.

I had a brunch with my friends and their families. It's my missionary friends who spent 30 years in Hong Kong. It's plenty of food. Too much...

Then my advisor took me to his home and spent the afternoon and evening. Food again. It's very nice food. Juicy turkey, really nice wine...

Just any culture, I think, people simply have the occasions for the families to come together. Have a time to indulge in food and an excuse to gain some weight.

The first time I ever felt like having a glimpse of how a family is like was the time when I was in Scotland with Ann and Bert. Just stayed in the house sitting by the fire. Going out and joined the annual town event. Just talking. Being normal.

Gradually I begin to know that many people have a normal family. And it takes hard work to build and maintain a loving relationship.

So many times I think, this God is love thing is simply nonsense. First, I don't know what God is. Second, I'm not sure if I know what love is. Father's love, sort of things. OK, if you think your earthly father is loving and you project a god who also loves you. But too bad, I have little idea what a father's love is.

I think I know what a friend's love is. Why is God's love bigger? How to compare a father's love and a friend's love? Who's love is better or bigger?

I want to give you thanks here. A huge thank you. :)