Goodness, there are so many things for which to be grateful–it does feel like a cornucopia, also known as “the horn of plenty”, overflowing with vibrant, harvested colors and shapes, each piece unique and wonderful in its own way; each adding something incredible and nourishing to the whole!
It is just before and on Thanksgiving that we gather these diverse, useful and beautiful items that we have either planted or have planted themselves, sprouted, grown roots, blossomed and produced in different crop fields, far away from each other. In earlier days, we would travel to each field to harvest the fruits of our labor to create this masterpiece. Obviously, in modern times, we scour the aisles of the grocery store and then put the farmed, shipped and purchased items together–or just buy the pre-made cornucopia at Michael’s. We marvel at the brilliance and harmony that the compilation creates. It would seem that the “horn of plenty” allows us to fully see and grasp each piece and the whole at the same time–sort of like the express lane. But what about the incredible things that each piece contributes to the whole and everything it took for that piece to be a part of the whole?
One thing that has occurred to me is the importance of regularly recognizing each piece on it’s own and all of things about it for which we are grateful. Sometimes–err, maybe most times in our rushed, over-scheduled and over-stimulated lives–we end up quickly cultivating individual facets of life, whether it’s a relationship with friend or family member, a project, a trip, or just an ordinary day. We rush in and rush out, without fully taking the time in between to understand and appreciate the amazing contribution each part is to our own, individual, beautiful whole. Instead, to get everything else necessary done and keep everyone around us happy, we quickly throw together the whole, only to appreciate temporarily.
This Thanksgiving, we can strive to remember how we feel, on this day, about everyone and everything in our lives–children, a significant other, family, home, tradition, friends, coworkers, members and organizations in our community,–every single thing that motivates us to wake up each day, smile, press on and love with all of our heart.
These people, places, experiences and things, like the fruit in the cornucopia, are growing on their own every day, in their respective environments and that growth contributes something to our whole. Many of us enjoy each separate thing throughout the year. On special occasions, when many of the separate things come together, we relish in and feel fortunate for the beauty of the whole. Sometimes we make a conscious effort to realize and express our gratitude for the separate things–mainly on those special occasions–and sometimes we are so caught up in the hustle and bustle, that we forget to feel grateful or express that we do. When we do make a conscious effort to feel and express our gratitude on a regular basis, perhaps the “seed of thanks” continues to cultivate within us and within those with whom we share it–allowing everyone to be more fully cognizant of how truly fortunate we all are for each facet that makes up our individual whole.
This Thanksgiving, feel, love, express your thanks to each separate facet that contributes to your whole–your children, your entire family, your friends, your coworkers, your community–and remember how warm and bright you and everyone around you feels when giving and receiving–sharing!!–these feelings. Then, without taking away from these moments, try to capture them, maybe with a photo that you can print and display in a place you spend time every day or by jotting down a word or phrase that evokes the recall of the moments. Remember how you feel, how others look, how they respond to expressions of love and gratitude–then, go ahead–make a conscious effort every single day to appreciate and express thanks for all of the elements that add to your whole. These conscious and frequent expressions of gratitude will reinvigorate your soul and all of those souls-small and tall-around you.
Today, I want to express my sincere and profound gratitude for the children and you all, teachers and families. I am so thankful for each child, who sings and dances in the rain and reminds us big kids what it’s all really about, who–with all of their mighty love–hugs a student who accomplishes a feat during circle time, or who engages, perseveres and completes their block tower to their own content and amazement. I am eternally grateful for each teacher, who is planning their elaborate and full-circle lessons at 2:30am, staying on a Friday night to finish writing in a child’s journal, or helping a child who doesn’t quite have the motor skills to wipe their own a gooey nose (or other body parts!) and loving him or her the whole time through. And, finally, I am so fortunate to each family member of the children, who entrusts us with the responsibility and absolute joy of caring for and learning with the dearest person in their life, who participates–whole-heartedly–in our gatherings at school and in our field trips and follows up with what their child is learning in school to bring it out at home authentically, through play, and who believes, lives and encourages our philosophy and the dream in progress.
Every night, as I try to ease into sleep, I think about one “thing”–for lack of a better word–for which I am grateful. Nine out of ten nights, that “thing” is a child, a teacher or family member of a child. You all have enriched the lives of the Lupine Lane family and are an integral, beautiful part of a cornucopia of bright, vibrant, happy, growing people. I think of the children, the teachers and you all each and every day and feel so happy and grateful that you are all a part of this whole that we are building together. Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s to a day of love and family and a year of expressing our gratitude regularly. Spread love and joy!
Some recent happy happenings that make me feel so grateful:
–The Feast of Gratitude and all of the class performances! Thank you all for posting the videos and photos to the parents’ group page! I was sad to miss while at the NAEYC Conference, but so happy, happy, happy to see all of the cute lovies and hear their sweet songs!
–The incredible progress on the building in Rough Hollow! Check out this video! You can start to see the classrooms and imagine all of the Turkey Songs that will be sung there next Thanksgiving! And, as of Friday, November 29th, the framing is all up!
–The ability to attend the NAEYC Conference in DC and all of the incredible people that synthesized research and information for us to learn and bring back to implement! It was invigorating to meet and learn from so many people who care tremendously about early childhood education! Kaleigh and I learned a lot and cannot wait to share with the kids, teachers and families! (I’m also so thankful that the 2014 conference is in Dallas and we will be able to bring so many more people next year–and we’ll be in our new school!! YAY!)
–And finally, the miracle of life! Carl and I are caring for the Peacocks’ hamster, Olivia this week. I’ve haven’t really had pets in my life (fish, hermit crabs and a “rescued” baby blue jay that fell from its nest), and I’m not the biggest fan of critters in the rodent family, but on Sunday I gained a new appreciation when Olivia gave birth to 8 tiny Panda Hamsters. It was incredible–she did so without any help and so very peacefully and quietly. Now, she is enjoying bits of vegan stuffing (or dressing as it is called in Texas) to nourish herself as she keeps her babes warm and well. Life–in every form–is an incredible wonder to celebrate!
In closing, I wanted to share a song that we sang last year and some of the classes kept alive this year!
Let’s be thankful for this day,
For our friends and for our play!
Let’s be thankful, let’s be glad,
For our food and the things we have!
Let’s give thanks for you and me,
and our home and family!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
Lauren