Category: Holidays

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Holidays

Grateful for Gratitude

By Julie Murugen
Lakehill Preparatory School, English Department Chair, K-7

Thanksgiving is coming, the time of year when the words “grateful” and “gratitude” abound in advertisements, greeting cards, and church sermons. We are mindful of our blessings (especially those we can eat!), glad to spend time with friends and families, and moved to compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves. When prompted to list the things for which we feel grateful, we say family, health, home, safety, employment, friendships, and such universals. But a recent experience has made me rethink my priorities: I am most grateful for gratitude itself.

Recently, searching for the opportunity to trade apartment life for a home of our own, I got into a rut of focusing on what we don’t have, what we can’t afford, what neighborhoods won’t fit with our commutes, and other negatives. Lost in a self-generated labyrinth of limitation, I felt disconnected from the flow of happiness and well-being that I associate with the presence of God. Worse, I disparaged myself not only for having failed to accumulate sufficient savings, but for what I considered nearly unforgivable: feeling ungrateful for the bounty I possess in a happy marriage, a wonderful job, good friends, and more.

We looked at one more open house, and it would be a great happy ending if I could say it was our perfect answer. It wasn’t–it was far beyond our means. But we both instantly loved it, and suddenly the delight of being fully on the same page with my husband shattered the barriers that had seemed so daunting. At that moment, feeling access to free-flowing thankfulness was like a new life. Nothing had changed but my attitude, but everything had changed.

So, with all sincerity and goodwill, I can say to all, Happy Thanksgiving!

Categories
Holidays

A Thank You for Veterans

By Kaye Hauschild
Head of Middle School, Lakehill Preparatory School

Having a family member who served in our nation’s armed forces pretty much guarantees that Veterans Day is noted on your calendar. This in not because your beloved veteran brings it up or requests that the family come together for recognition. Instead, they hold their memories and experiences close to the vest, sharing only with those whose experiences are the same.

In our school, we make sure that Veterans Day honors veterans through assemblies or music or study. Through this and our service clubs and activities, students have come to recognize both the contributions that have made our country safe and the challenges of our veteran population.  They think of their great grandfathers who served in World War II, and consider uncles who fought in Desert Storm.  They also remember former military men and women they have met during a Bingo game at Austin Street Shelter or while serving a meal at Dallas Life Foundation.

When asked what they planned for Veterans Day this year, the students’ answer was unanimous.  Through an e-mail or a phone call or a personal visit, they are going to say thank you.

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Categories
Holidays

Remembering Others on Valentine’s Day

I grew up with Valentine’s Day being one of our BIG celebrations because my parents married on Valentine’s day many moons ago.  It became a family event with the fun of making valentines and creating special surprises that showed our care for each other.

Many conversation hearts later, I still love the celebration and I am glad it is a part of our Middle School experience at Lakehill.  From our annual dance to delivery of surprise valentine candies and flowers, Valentine’s Day is sweet and special.
This year, we decided to share our feelings of being special and remembered with others by making Valentine cards that we could share with some of the groups we serve throughout the year.  Lower School and Middle School Community Connections groups contributed as well as one of our Girl Scout troops and every Middle School class. In the end, we have enough cards to share with the clients of five of our neighborhood organizations who help others.
We were very excited to see the results of our efforts and know that we were sending more than doilies and construction paper.  To quote one card, “Happy Valentine’s Day! You are special and we remember you!”