Gratitude certainly counts…although it seems to be a missing entity in today’s busy world. I am certain that many people are grateful for what they have and where they are in life, but words or actions of gratitude are seldom at the forefront of today’s news. Perhaps this is a logical result from previous times when parents demanded that children say “Please” and “Thank you,” whether it was meant or not.
I love being able to tell the checkout clerks how much I appreciate their help. I love being able to compliment workers in stores for the good job they are doing, or for the way they helped a “hard to please” customer. When I take the time to do this, the person always smiles and acts as if such praise was totally unexpected. I am sure it is new to them. It appears to be far easier for people to criticize or demean others than it is to give a compliment.
Just remembering these previous experiences causes me to get on my soapbox and air my complete dislike of the Progressive Insurance ads that show a gray-haired man trying to teach people how “not to become their parents.” That ad series seeks to destroy any form of kindness or gratitude which might be shown to waiters, etc. How sad!
I remember the first year I began Lawton Academy. We decided to let our students participate in an Easter Egg Hunt provided by the city for children. To our amazement, the large field was covered in prizes, baskets, candy, and just about anything you could imagine. The large Blue’s Clues character was there to greet the children and waited with them until the hunt was ready to begin. What transpired in the next fifteen minutes was absolutely unbelievable!
I watched helplessly as children ran back and forth over the field actually stomping on “small” prizes and baskets…rushing madly towards a mob all seeking to get the largest prizes of all! When the largest prize was claimed, others turned away in disgust and moaned about there’s nothing to find! Needless to say, I was infuriated! We had a lengthy lesson about being grateful and not being selfish. The end result: I never allowed our students to participate again in such a free-for- all!
Because of that enlightening experience, I have had unusual egg hunts over the years. But my hunts required problem solving, directional map reading, clue interpretations, etc. It wasn’t just the egg hunts that changed with me. I also learned to teach moderation and gratitude at Halloween and Valentine’s party celebrations. I take these teaching moments very seriously. I want our students to be grateful and generous citizens. They will rise to the level of my expectations if I set the example and set the parameters.
In light of the war in Ukraine today, I am teaching our students just how grateful we must be. This is also the time for us to learn that generosity will help the people who are suffering atrocities far more than any of us have experienced at Lawton Academy.
I am also grateful for staff members who really care about children. While I was in the public school system, I had a teacher who absolutely had no love for, or desire to teach poor children or children who were overweight. It broke my heart to see children shunned who did not meet her expectations. Yet, she was upset with me when her oldest son refused to let her buy Izod shirts for him to wear to his new junior high school. He had listened to me and didn’t want to be seen as a part of the “proud crowd.” I think he grew up a more thankful person, and I have no regrets for my influence upon him.
I close these thoughts for today with the thought Jim and I share each day at Lawton Academy. “Thank you, God, for such a beautiful garden you’ve provided for us to cultivate. We can nourish the children’s minds and spirits with your love. When our students leave this garden called Lawton Academy, they can in turn spread the gratitude we all have that you have blessed our school so much!”
- Kay