Thanksgiving is upon us.
It’s an interesting time of year for me. On a personal level, it’s my parent’s anniversary – would have been 40 years this year. It’s also the 4th anniversary of my father’s death from a wicked form of cancer. I think it was his favorite holiday. Dad was a fan of food, in quantity, especially when he got to bring the wine.
This is the holiday where I do all the cooking and invite both sides of the family to our house to gather, eat and share our gratitude. It’s the only time of year when we all share a table. The community of family and friends varies year to year, but our home is always open.
In my home, we keep a gratitude journal. We started the tradition a good few years ago. We pass the wide-ruled, marble notebook around the table and we each write our entry in for the current year. Sometimes the entries are sincere and thoughtful. Other entries are quite ridiculous (and usually written by my brother).
This year, I am grateful for many things: My husband, who helps me change light bulbs here at Shining Light Prenatal Education and who is on “daddy-duty” while I teach; my 4 year old, Elaine, Mommy & Me Yoga who is my best co-teacher for and my 8 yr old, Owen, who keeps me grounded in the family when I’m working too hard.
I’m grateful to all of the teachers and facilitators here at Shining Light Prenatal Education. Without them, this place wouldn’t function. The amazing array of classes offered is due to their skills, abilities and expertise. Their passion and dedication to their work is appreciated beyond words.
I’m extraordinarily grateful for you, my students. My students are the heart and soul of Shining Light Prenatal Education. When I putter away in the back room doing paperwork, the space is quiet and it echoes. When you walk in the space becomes a Center. It truly becomes warm and welcoming and it’s because you are here. Your energy makes our little corner of Pittsburgh come alive.
My family has grown quite a bit in the last 20 months since Shining Light Prenatal Education opened. It now includes all of my students and their babies. I have learned and grown so much from your experiences, your questions and your wisdom.
So, this Thanksgiving, my gratitude goes out to you. All of you, who have ever crossed the threshold at 3701 Butler St., – Thank you. Shining Light Prenatal Education is, because of you, a community.
I’ll raise my glass of wine to my dad, who sadly never got to see me open my business. To you, my teachers and my students, I’ll toast with some tea from the Keurig in my orange mug.
Have a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving.
Love and Light
~Deena
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