Thank goodness for Thanksgiving!

When the school year starts each August, it becomes easy to fall into the daily grind, often causing us to lose sight of the important people and things in our lives. As day follows day and week follows week, it's a constant struggle to just stay afloat. This is just one reason I am especially thankful for Thanksgiving - it's a chance to slow down (not counting the actual turkey trot, where it was necessary to speed up) and relax with family and friends. 

I was lucky enough to visit with my parents and sister (and her fiance) in Michigan. We had a simple Thanksgiving - the annual "Mighty Gobbler" turkey trot in the morning followed by a late lunch/dinner (with my aunt and uncle joining us) around the table. My personal favorite part of the meal was the pumpkin pie. Mmm... 

Also, my sister and I spent part of Thanksgiving afternoon making the traditional family turkey apples. (We just didn't have the cloves for the eyes.)

We spent most of the day after Thanksgiving visiting our great aunt and my grandpa's best friends (who are as close to family as you can get). We shared a lot of good stories and laughs. I love the holidays. :)

My mom and I went to see the movie "Wonder" on Saturday. It stayed pretty true to the book (from what I can recall - I read it over 5 years ago), and it brought a number of tears to my eyes. I'd recommend seeing it.

Before heading out, my parents put up the Christmas tree and hung the lights. My dad even made a new tree topper for it. Then he started playing Christmas music on his guitar. It was then that I realized that I couldn't escape from all things Christmas - the time had come to give in...so I did. I downloaded Leslie Odom Jr's new holiday album for the drive home, and when I got home I wrote out and addressed Christmas cards. (I'm waiting a few days to actually send them, though.) Let the Christmas carols play and the lights shine brightly - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And I'm okay with that.

All about that faith

I know that from time to time I complain about student behavior, but when it boils down to it, how cool is it that I get to spend time learning and teaching about the Catholic faith for MY JOB?!?!? (I think the Language Arts piece tends to stress me out a little, but that's okay.)

I am so grateful to learn and dig deeper every single day. From watching classic films (e.g. "The Song of Bernadette" or "The Robe") to having students get excited about sharing videos for prayer to having to do a little research to prepare about Church history - I love it.

And for some kids, I know it's making a difference now. For others, maybe they'll look back on some of the things we did and it might make a difference then. Who knows? We gotta keep "fighting the good fight," people.

Sorry for my brevity. Have a good night, y'all.

The Gift to Realize that Everything is a Gift

Long weekends are amazing because, as a teacher, I feel that such times are the only true times (aside from more extended holiday vacations) when you can take a day off.

So, that's exactly what I did on Sunday. That's right - no work. Period.

My sister and I went for a run on the Lakefront path, which, while hot, was quite satisfying. After washing up, I met her and one of her roommates from ACE KC (Anthony) at Yolk (a local brunch hotspot) for some delicious pancakes. From there, we headed downtown (via the L) to drop off Anthony's bags at Union Station. It was at that time we had the brilliant idea that we would wander around...and ultimately find the cupcake ATM.

(Yes, believe it or not, it exists. Directly below is the proof.)

We enjoyed some sunshine, our cupcakes, fresh air, and conversation on a Starbucks 2nd floor outdoor patio (who knew?). And then we walked some more. (By the end of the day, let's just say my legs were a little sore.)

And after sending Anthony on his way (back to Union Station), Marisa and I grabbed dinner and then headed to Mass. Finally, to round out the night, Marisa and another friend and I experienced the beauty of a summer's evening with margaritas and tortilla chips on the patio of the Mexican restaurant right around the corner from Church.

This morning, I was able to wake up refreshed and so very grateful for yesterday's encounters and adventures.

Speaking of grateful, I'm starting that theme with my 7th graders this week in Religion class. They'll be writing daily in their gratitude journals, and I'll be reading them some books, sharing some stories, and inviting them to reflect on how we can all be a little more grateful for what we have.

I plan on showing this video tomorrow:

And here are some images to get us started and to use throughout the year:

As the video (above) says at one point, it's a "gift to realize that everything is a gift". Today, I was able to look out my back door and see beauty in the simple grace of the brilliant sunshine:

What are you grateful for today?

#AttitudeofGratitude

Let's just say my 7th graders loved hashtags - juxtaposing them next to pretty much any word or phrase, especially on creative assessments/projects. #ItDoesntGetOld (apparently)

But that's not really the point of what I want to get at right now. No, the heart of this blog post and tonight's homily message at Mass is gratitude. Fr. Sean illustrated this idea through a simple, true story - allow me to retell it here as best I can:

There was an ACE grad a few years ago who shared her story around graduation time - it was a story in which she started out by saying around November of her first year of teaching she almost quit. She called her mom on the phone, expressing her feelings of failure and despair. As their conversation drew to a close, her mom said, "I'm not hanging up this phone until you tell me one thing you're grateful for." Silence. And the mother repeated herself, "I'm not hanging up this phone until you tell me one thing you're grateful for." Silence, yet again. Finally, the ACE teacher told her mother that she was thankful for the school bell at the end of the school day. Her mom replied, "Well, that's a start."

The ACE teacher called her mom every night for awhile, each conversation ending with her mom insisting that she would not hang up the phone until she said something she was grateful for. Soon, the ACE teacher found gratitude for things like students raising their hands, a community member helping her out, and more. The conversations slowly dwindled down to the normal weekly occurrences, but the seed had been planted: Her mother had helped her cultivate a new disposition filled with gratitude, and her whole outlook had changed. In fact, years later, she described that time of her life as when her vocation was saved.

Pretty powerful stuff.

This was the perfect time to stop and think, how do I practice gratitude in my own life?

Funny coincidence...

At the end of my school year in June, two students gifted me with gratitude journals (one of which I gave to my sister), and each day has a space (and sometimes a prompt) for me to record simple things for which I am grateful each day. It's a good habit to have. (Students seem to always know the best gifts...)

Tonight's entry will include the following things for which I am most grateful today:

- The opportunity to meet and have dinner with an ACE teacher who will be teaching at my ACE school (4th grade!) in Phoenix these next two years

- A few texts with my ACE housemates checking in and making plans to catch up via phone soon

- The eagerness of the second year ACE teachers to constantly and earnestly seek/accept feedback in efforts to become stronger teachers in the fall

- The gorgeous, cool weather that settled on the Midwest today

- Ideas to go along with my first planned read aloud book with my 6th grade ELA class in August

- Pierogies in the cafeteria at lunchtime (Best. Lunch. Ever.)

Yes, it's the little things. But gratitude is so important. We need to say thank you and mean it. And when we do, we will watch our outlook on the world change...

Thanksgiving

Eucharist...the source and summit of our Catholic faith...literally translated as "thanksgiving"...

What a beautiful word...what an incredible experience...

I agree with my school parish's pastor - Thanksgiving should be a holy day of obligation on the Church calendar. It's so important to stop in the midst of all the craziness (especially during the holidays) to give thanks for all we have.

And, as our pastor back at home in St. Pete pointed out, it's time to turn our thanksgiving into "thanks-doing" and show by our actions just how grateful we are and how much we have to share.

And maybe, when this happens, we might be able to bring the holiday season back to what it ought to be - a season of true joy and giving...

Quotable

Another Value Quote of the Day to pass along:

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Melody Beattie - author, journalist

Small, Thoughtful Gifts

Never underestimate the smallest acts of kindness - they can really brighten a day:

1- I sent an email to parents of 4th graders on my volleyball team, and I introduced myself as the middle school religion teacher. One parent (whose son I had in 4th grade) wrote back, "You are not just the religion teacher, you are the BOMB!" - Well, that sure made me smile.

2- I received an order in the mail, and when I opened it, I found two small items included as a simple "thank you" for being their first customer. Lovely!

3- My mom sent a good luck card, prayer, stamps, and Target gift card in the mail. :)

I sure hope I was able to bring a smile in some small way to someone's face today. Did you?

Retreat Reminders

“Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer a day, except when we are busy - then we need an hour." 

- St Francis de Sales

"God does not need our prayers! He knows what we need even before we ask. He is the all-merciful, and he pours his abundant bounties even on those who do not ask him. It is for us that prayer is indispensable; it appropriates man to God." 

- Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807-1867)

“Nothing is more practical than finding God, That is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, What you will do with your evenings, How you spend your weekends, What you read, Who you know, What breaks your heart, And what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

- Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty...I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."

- Philippians 3:11-12

"'For I know the plans I have in store for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

- Jeremiah 29:11

These are just a few quotes that were either from this weekend's young adult retreat or that remind me of my experience this weekend. I'm going to be frankly honest up front - it's going to be hard to go back to work tomorrow...I don't want to because I'd rather remain on that proverbial mountaintop with the 60+ other young adults with whom I was able to share retreat.

This weekend was everything I hoped it would be...and then more.

I was reminded of...

- the simple beauty and serenity in contemplation, especially using meditative (and repetitive) music.

- the power of prayer when 20 or so of us gathered during free time to pray the Rosary.

- how much I love spending time with the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration.

- how it feels to be vulnerable - to open myself up to others and to have them open up to me as well. (What incredible conversations!)

- the essential call to be my truest self, for in Jesus' presence we see who we truly are. (And since we can't please everybody, we should remember to strive to please God first and then ourselves next.)

- the joy of laughter - pure belly laughs - during social and game time. (I probably haven't laughed as hard since last retreat.)

- why I pray and why the forms of prayers I use (when there are SO many to choose from) are, at least for the present moment, the ones best-suited to me and my needs.

- how beautiful it is to share such tremendous events with my sister. (There were actually a total of 4 sets of siblings on the retreat - crazy!)

- why I choose to believe the Catholic faith.

I pray that this weekend's insight, discussions, reflections, and activities act as a springboard and catalyst for my continued faith renewal and dedication to my faith community. And I thank God for all of the wonderful people I was able to work with who made this retreat such a special, memorable, and meaningful weekend.

most of the 2013 YAC retreat team

Thankful Each Day

Another Thanksgiving in the books.

(It makes me think of Bing Crosby's song in Holiday Inn - what about you?)

And as Sunday night rolls around...and family goes home...and vacation comes to an end...

I am reminded of God's many blessings in my life - yes, even though we always have at least a few family squabbles - and that I need to make an effort to be more thankful in my everyday prayer and actions.

Well, here's a prayer for starters. (Found it on Pinterest.) -->

Oh, and I found this too:

And I think I can definitely start by being thankful that Christmas break is less than 4 weeks away.

(Just kidding...well, only kind of kidding...there is so much more to be thankful for than just that...)

THANKSgiving

Favorite holiday weekend of the year has officially started.

Why is Thanksgiving my favorite? Well, aside from the obvious answer of "I love the food," there are many other reasons too: spending time with my family, annual turkey trot (or, in this year's case, a different 5k race), time off from school/work, knowing that Advent starts soon, and many more...

(Plus, it has the word THANKS in it, and that reminds me to thank God for all of His many blessings.)

I also have some favorite holiday traditions that I usually start doing around this time too:

Making turkey apples with my students:

You gotta love seeing Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving (and also his Christmas special)...

And watching holiday movies...

      

It's the time of year to start editing Mom's annual Christmas letter too...

In my classroom, I need to bust out the Advent wreath and calendar (and I need to re-find those favorite online resources)...

And in iTunes, I have to update my Christmas music playlist - I'm resolved to not start playing it until Friday, though...

Yes, it's almost time for "the most wonderful time of the year." (Note, don't click this link unless you're prepared to hear some Christmas music.)

But let's remember to take time this weekend to enjoy our family and express our thanks to God. Don't let this holiday get away from you before getting wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.

Yes, let us give thanks...for God is good. 

Thanks...

Thoughts of Thanks

KMF (11-1-12)

Where have all the "thank yous" gone?

I pray it's not too far they've strayed

A mere two words is not too long

To thank someone for what he gave.

But kids today (and adults too)

Take much for granted, it is true.

What used to be enough's now not -

We're not content with what we've got.

Always wanting more and more -

Comparison robs us of our pleasure.

And happiness walks out the door,

that which was our truest treasure.

My greatest wish today is this -

That complaining we could resist.

And in its place, we say a phrase

of thanks - Oh, let that guide our days!

Some days, I have to wonder if parents still teach their children manners at home. And, maybe it's not (or at least not all) the parents' fault, but the fact that more and more people (especially students) I meet have a sense of entitlement about them worries me.

That's where the inspiration for this poem (that I wrote today) came from. We had leftover snacks from our 2nd annual Chocolate House today, so we decided to share them with the aftercare students. When we limited them to 2 snacks to start with, a chorus of "What?!" and "Why can't we have more?"s rang out, and I just became disheartened. What happened to being thankful for a small treat - which is more than they would have had in the first place.

I'm not blaming anyone...except maybe society. With instant gratification & indulging behaviors towards their children, I fear we're raising a society of self-centered and oblivious-to-others people. And, quite frankly, that scares me. I know that this instance today was just one, and it wasn't every child who complained, but I don't think I'm overreacting. (In fact, the woman with whom I had aftercare duty agreed with me too.)

I pray that people don't lose their sense of gratitude - after all, we are entitled to nothing. Everything is a gift or is earned (or, at least, that's how we should look at it).

Hopefully, this entry didn't put a damper on your day/evening. It's meant to provoke thought more than anything else. And I pray for a future of gratitude for all of us. Our world needs a little more thankfulness.