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What the Teachers are Thankful
For
by Lindsey Saldin, Staff Writer
Unlike Christmas and Halloween, which are times of giving and
receiving, Thanksgiving is a unique holiday in that it reminds us to
just appreciate what we already have. In 2006, many students might
find themselves wrongly thinking that they are most thankful for the
people who invented cell phones, computers, iPods, emails, or
Myspace. However, teachers and the administrators teach us another
lesson that is not necessarily a standard in a textbook, but can be
applied to real life lessons, or in this case, the dinner table on
November 23rd.
Maxine, when asked what she is most grateful for
responded, "My health, my family's health, and my four grandbabies
that are delicious."
Furthermore, Mr. Davlantis said that he is thankful
for, "Good and Plenty's and the Dodgers making it to the play-offs."
Mrs. Churchill said she will give thanks to,
"sugar-free candy, peppermint foot spray, and no more late fees at
Blockbuster."
Most people would not even stop and think about this
because they have not experienced otherwise, but Mrs. Brown calls
attention to another very important part of our society, "I am
thankful that I live in a state where health is important and
smoking is banned in most public places. When I travel where many
people are smoking I find it hard to breathe, but, in California, I
never have to face that particular form of air pollution."
For some of the staff, they actually enjoy coming to
school and dealing with the crowded hallways and frequent fire
alarms, because their job gives them the greatest pleasure in life.
This was the case for Ellen and Mrs. Harrison, the latter who said
that she also "loves her wonderful students and her dog Max."
In addition, can one imagine eating an entire turkey by
oneself? Of course not, there is a reason why Ralph's carries them
in such large sizes to feed many people because Thanksgiving is a
family-oriented holiday. For Mrs. Moon, Mrs. Munger, and Mrs.
Delello, they enjoy most that they can meet with, as Mrs. Munger put
it, "all the people that I care about most." In her case, she is
going to be happy to meet another member of the group, a newborn
baby girl. Mrs. Delello also added, "I am twice as lucky because I
can eat turkey twice while meeting with different family members."
She also adds that she is thankful because "autumn is my favorite
season."
For family guys Mr. Lund and Mr. Shevlin, they are most
thankful for their family and children. Mr. Lund calls himself, "a
pretty lucky guy" because he has "a great wife and super kids" and
also adds that he is grateful to "live and work in a nice city with
the ocean right in my backyard."
Finally, Mr. Harris summed up the general feelings of
all the teachers when he said, "I am grateful for a loving family,
life-long and caring friends, improving health, a wonderful standard
of living in a free country, and a job that I look forward to each
and every day."
There is a pattern in the responses because the entire
faculty all pointed out the finer points in life - people or
privileges that we take for granted until we ask ourselves what life
would be like without them. So this Thanksgiving, before we dive
into the stovetop stuffing and pumpkin pie, let’s remember to be
grateful for the people around the table - the pilgrims would surely
approve.
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