There’s something beautiful and fleeting about fall in Concord: the littered candy wrappers, the crimson leaves crushed under boot-soles; the heat rising off a pumpkin spice latte, warming the hands of students rushing back before the chapel bell rings. The weather becomes momentarily just warm enough to enjoy right before winter comes storming in.
As Thanksgiving break approaches, many members of the community are finding a newfound appreciation and love for people, things, and places in their life. From the way the sun hits the quad at golden hour, to a simple wave exchanged passing in the hallway, there is so much to be grateful for. People in and outside of the CA community decided to spread their joy by sharing with the Centipede what they are appreciative for in their lives.
When prompted about what she is grateful for, chorus pianist Stephanie Otto Ørvik responded, “I’m grateful for my family. Both my boys are home from college, so we’ll just eat and chill [over the break]. And [I’m also grateful for] pie. That’s my non-motherly selfish little thing.”
Daniel Xu ’25 replied, acknowledging, “CA’s teachers are so encouraging of collaboration with each other and take in what each other says. I think it makes for a more engaging community.”
“I am thankful for having people in my life who join with me in activities that bring me joy and growth, who challenge and celebrate me—friends, family, colleagues and students who are excited to share in my passions and who invite me to share in theirs. I am thankful for the lifelong friends I’ve made doing the things I love, like playing basketball, writing poetry, making music, and hiking up and around mountains. And I’m grateful that, for all that has filled me and enriched my life so far, I am still eager to travel, to discover, to learn, and to grow,” English teacher Nancy Boutilier added.
Cecilia Wang ’23 answered, “I am grateful for how I can be able to make music. And also my friends.” Aviva Jeffrey ’24 expressed her gratitude for food, stating, “Bubbies pickles. They’re magical, there’s nothing like them.” Mars Bitout ’23 said, “I’m grateful for CA’s openmindedness.”
Math teacher Cory Chapman echoed this sentiment of gratitude, “I am grateful for so much. I feel super lucky, and there’s this one quote that I think really sums it up, ‘If everybody loved their job as much as I loved mine, the world would be a much happier place.’ I like to think that I’m grateful all year and not just Thanksgiving because there’s always a lot to be grateful for.”
Thanksgiving holds different meanings to many people, yet at its core, the holiday is about cherishing the little, overlooked moments, and appreciating the people and things that surround the community at CA. It is about recognizing the things that often go unacknowledged in everyone’s busy day-to-day lives. Before settling into yearly traditions, whatever they may be, and letting the aroma of turkey overwhelm the kitchen, it is necessary to take a step back to reflect. Instead of picking up with the busy day-to-day lives once more, it is important to appreciate all the things for which to be grateful throughout the year, as people continue to grow and give thanks for the many little things they stop taking for granted.