I'm glad that Thanksgiving is a national holiday. Every year, at about this time, students in classrooms across the U.S. craft all kinds of pilgrims,
Indians, turkeys, pumpkins and cornucopia to commemorate the first Thanksgiving. I'm not saying that the history is unimportant, but I do wish that there would be an update, an upgrade even, in the types of activities and discussions we have around giving thanks. The simplistic notion that we continue the tradition of Thanksgiving
because the Pilgrims and the Indians sat down to dinner together is not enough to make a dent in the (let alone reverse the trend of) ingratitude that teems in our homes, classrooms and other public places. The words "Thank you" are words that I use frequently but that I also have to remind students to use- frequently. Beyond the words though, how do we live gratitude? How do we teach gratitude?
First of all, parents are the most important people in a child's life! However, I sense that some people who are parents do not view parenthood as a gift, a
sacrifice or responsibility. Gratitude must begin with being thankful for the miracle of life that has been entrusted to you. While I do not have children of my own, I do hold every child in my classroom as a gift. I am also a firm believer in teaching by example and if I am not grateful and do not show thanks then my students will not either. The examples that they see (besides parents or teachers) are most likely on television or You Tube or
MySpace and unfortunately those are often unrealistic, even surrealistic examples. So I'm going to count my blessings right here and now so that they will be on the tip of my tongue the next time I need to give reasons not to complain that I don't make seven figures, don't rock a lot of ice, don't wear all name brand gear/clothing/shoes, don't drive a hot whip and don't live on an estate...
I'm alive, I have the activity of all of my limbs, I have a loving husband and a caring family that extends beyond biology, I have food on the table and a roof over my head. Thank God for baby giggles, the man on the corner who always says may the Lord bless you, sunshine on a cloudy day, the smell of rolls baking in the oven, good friends, good food, good times, being able to reminisce about my younger years, having the opportunity to make new memories each day. Thank God I have a job!! Even though it gets tough sometimes and I don't want to do it I'm so glad that I have a job. I'm thankful that my parents made me work so hard for everything. They taught me how to live- I work to live not live to work. I've traveled to many places others have never seen- even in books. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't come into contact with so many people of different backgrounds I am thankful for all of them. I'm thankful for the teachers that I had that now provide inspiration and guidance as I have joined their ranks. I am thankful that I have a heart and a mind to help others. I'm thankful for fresh cut flowers, sprigs of basil and rosemary, for Fifi, my sister's dog. I'm thankful for all of the fun we had at my sister's wedding two months ago. I'm thankful for the faithful people at my church in Columbus and I'm thankful for the church communities I've been a part of in Cleveland. I'm thankful for hip hop because it always transports me to a youthful place and brings me closer to my activist core.
The best thing I can give to my students is my sense of gratitude- it provides perspective that can empower, enlighten and motivate them to press on.
