Giving thanks for many reasons

“I can no other answer make, but, thanks, And thanks, and ever thanks.”
–William Shakespeare

“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.”
–Tecumseh

As we leave for the Thanksgiving break, I want to wish everyone a joyful and meaningful holiday. I hope you have time with family and friends, a chance to rest and restore, and of course, the opportunity to enjoy good food.

In some ways, Thanksgiving forces us to set aside time to reflect and express gratitude for the blessings in our lives. In a perfect world, we would do this daily, but life can get pretty busy; in the frenzy of rushing to work, driving our children to extracurricular activities, making meals, and taking care of the other chores in our lives, we can neglect to say “thank you.” It’s perfectly understandable. Fortunately, Thanksgiving reminds us to slow down and recognize all the things for which we can be grateful.

As Dr. Diana Raab expressed in a blog post from November 12, 2019, “Thanksgiving reflects a sense of interconnectedness among people and cultures. In these trying times, I think we need this day more than ever. It’s a holiday that’s perfect for gathering with loved ones and expressing gratitude for our blessings. For me, Thanksgiving is a reminder to appreciate all that’s joyful in my life, which includes my beloved family, friends, and colleagues; as well as my lifestyle and good health.

In that spirit, I would like to express gratitude for all of you in the Keystone community. To our students, thank you for inspiring us with your sense of purpose and passion, your commitment to school and the activities in which you participate, and your ability to revel in the moment. You make our work enjoyable and demonstrably worthwhile.

To the Keystone faculty and staff, thank you for your dedication to the fundamental work of helping children and adolescents excel as students in the classroom and become ethical and good people in the world. You give of yourself in all you do, and your dedication to helping children achieve their dreams is readily apparent and deeply moving.

To Cobra parents, thank you for sharing your children with us. We realize the enormity of the faith you place in us every day when your children come on to campus, and we accept your trust with humility and gratitude. Thank you also for engaging in the essential partnership between parents and school that enables children to be enveloped in a caring and compassionate community.

Thank you to the Keystone Board of Trustees for your wisdom, guidance, and support. In your already very busy lives, you volunteer time, talent, and treasure to chart a course for our school’s future and ensure that Keystone will educate children for many, many years to come.

To Keystone alumni, thank you for remaining members of the Cobra community. Continued involvement in your alma mater offers current students role models and historical context. Children learn that others who came before them have gone on to do great things; in turn, they will follow in the footsteps of their predecessors to make the world even better for their successors.

Thanking the members of the Keystone community would be appropriate at any time. However, it feels all the more humbling and significant in light of the past year. All of you enabled our school to achieve extraordinary success in the face of the worst pandemic in over one hundred years. Your support, your willingness to collaborate, and your devotion to Keystone allowed us to flourish in the face of adversity.

We are a stronger school because of you, and I sincerely and humbly say “thank you.” Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.