Blog #7 Thankful: Here and There and Everywhere

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November 27, 2025

With this second-to-last blog, there is one month left! Happy Thanksgiving! After reflecting on this semester to date, I realized that there are many things for which I’m thankful, both at home and abroad. I didn’t fully realize how much I missed them. I’ve ignored and taken many things for granted. On this Thanksgiving Day, I challenge you to take a look at the things in your life and ponder EVERYTHING you are thankful for—yes, I mean everything. Write them down or take note of them in your head. A friend once told me that gratitude changes everything. I have discovered new things and learned to appreciate them after experiencing them on a weekly basis. You never truly learn to appreciate what you have until you don’t have it.

Psalm 136:1-3 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.”

However, simply listing them or telling you about them seems boring, and I needed a new challenge in writing these blogs to keep them engaging. (Thanks for following my adventure this semester!) So, with that said, I’ve made a game out of describing things I am thankful for at home and abroad. At the end of the blog, you’ll find a list of the answers and a picture of every item I’m thankful for. Post your answers in the comments if you’d like. I’m curious what all your guesses are! Can you guess them all?

Item #1: Location: United States. I am a typical ingredient you buy for Thanksgiving. You can purchase me in two different forms. The first form is my original state. If you buy me in my original state, it is very rare (but possible) that you would use that version of me in the same way you would use my second form. No one uses my second form in Ireland. Thanks, Mom and Dad Kopplin, for taking me to Ireland for Laura. What am I?

Item #2: Location: Ireland. We come in many different forms, flavors, shapes, and sizes. We are not one specific item or thing. We are a collection of things that help keep you alive. We are found and are in need worldwide. The only difference between our American cousins and us is that they have a longer lifespan. What are we?

Item #3: Location: Ireland. Take a deep breath in…  and out. In… and out. See? It’s much easier to breathe with me than my other half, who lives in the States. We are complete opposites. She’s always running from one thing to the next, completely filling your time and never giving you a moment to breathe. With her, you have to fight for time. But with me? I give you room to be. What am I?

Item #4: Location: United States. As of 2024, there were approximately 1.475 billion of me. But access is the key. If you have the key, you have me. Then I am valuable to you. I carry people every day. I carry things for people. If you don’t have me, you never had the key. What am I?

Item #5: Location: United States. I exist in Ireland and the US. But Laura doesn’t have one of me in her kitchen. I make things go faster when you’re in a rush, or fix things when you left them sitting too long before you could enjoy them. I can be found in at least 3 different locations in the kitchen. I am often ignored when the kitchen is cleaned. But I just keep spinning. What am I?

Item #6: Location: United States. I am always present, though you can’t always see me. I am seen more frequently in Florida or Texas. My presence may seem more rare in Ireland. When I seem absent, it can take a toll on you, and you must seek what I give from somewhere else. What am I?

Item #7: Location: Ireland. I exist in the States, but Laura learned to use me in Ireland. I help many people carry things home and take them to numerous places. I am the opposite of Item #4 listed above. In Ireland, Laura uses me, but in the States, Laura never uses me and only uses #4 instead. What am I?

Item #8: Location: United States. I was created for pedestrians. Many people in Ireland ignore me. In Ireland, I make all the vehicles stop to ensure safe passage for all pedestrians. Because of this, though, you must wait longer till all the cars have stopped. In America, I let people walk while vehicles roll. Allowing people to get to their destination faster. What am I?

Item #9: Location: United States. I’m pretty unforgettable. I come in many forms for each and every family. I could be known by three different names. Who knows when, let alone how, I began. I come once a year, but you might also think I come three times in a year. Your ancestors and/or you have made me. You think of me when you miss me, and you think of me when you make more of me. What am I/are we?

Item #10: Location: Ireland. I’m not always liked, but I’m always good for you. No, I’m not a vegetable or a fruit. I am not ever tied to a specific location. You can visit me anywhere, at any time, and with anyone (or alone). No, I’m not God or the Bible. I am easier to find at the University of Limerick than at MLC because UL is a larger campus. What am I?

Item #11: Location: United States. I exist in Ireland and the US. But Laura doesn’t have one of me in her kitchen. I don’t make things go faster. I actually make them take longer. I take your work away and make life easier for you. I am often ignored when the kitchen is cleaned, but I still need to be cleaned, even though you may not think so. I work best with special soap and hot water. What am I?

Item #12: Location: New Ulm, MN, USA. We enjoy watching movies together and taking walks. I introduced Laura to Star Wars. We love watching Disney movies and going to Disneyland. We met in a library. I am the one Laura misses most. I miss her too. I am the one Laura loves. I love her too. My hugs are where she feels at home. Her hugs are where I feel at home. We can’t wait to see each other at Christmas. Only 29 days left! And 389 days till we say “I do!” Who am I?

 

Songs to check out!

“A Solider’s Song” lyrics by Peadar Kearney, music by Patrick Heeney (Irish National Anthem): https://youtu.be/zocmWUDMT_Y?si=kelc_6efE9kC1KTw

“The Rocky Road to Dublin” by The High Kings: https://youtu.be/0QdbeM2JWYE?si=bVaDHWcVOwssNwkO

 

Thanksgiving/family-themed (non-Irish) songs to check out!

“The Thanksgiving Song” by Ben Rector: https://youtu.be/QwaxNPY5nIY?si=-QCkwz2RNP7bqvo0

“Gobble Gobble” by Matthew West: https://youtu.be/wqAjWUAlJ-0?si=Myz9MuwACGEBJzFG

“Family Table” by Zac Brown Band: https://youtu.be/Ic9CqnOCcI4?si=VZBdUDNixQKHAPjE

“Family” by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors: https://youtu.be/N8l5hnWRZYY?si=C_RIzEUB09sjEhSS

 

Answers

  1. Canned pumpkin for pumpkin pies
  2. Fresher food with not as many preservatives
  3. Slower-paced class schedules
  4. Cars for carrying groceries back
  5. Microwaves for reheating and thawing
  6. The sun/blue skies for vitamin D
  7. Bus system for cheap transportation
  8. Crosswalks that some pedestrians cross while the cars drive in the opposite direction
  9. Holiday traditions and memories with family and friends
  10. Built in walking/exercise every day on the way to classes
  11. Dishwasher with warm water
  12. My sweet fiancé, Michael Griffith