December 15, 2020

Real gratitude in the midst of a virtual Christmas

This Friday, our students, teachers, administrators, public school board trustees and school communities start two weeks of Christmas break.

For many of us, this year will look different. We’ll have smaller in-person celebrations with immediate family, and virtual celebrations with extended family.

Many of us will do more home cooking and baking, perhaps do take-out meals or order in more, and do less shopping in crowded stores and malls. Others will choose to scale back in-person Boxing Day sales, in favour of online sales.

But even if we don’t have as many visitors, even if we don’t go to any Christmas parties, and even if we can’t take advantage of any post-holiday sales, we can still enjoy many of our favourite things this year. We can make our holiday celebrations meaningful with family traditions like festive meals with special foods, time spent reading, resting, visiting with loved ones – even if it’s a virtual visit – and going for walks, or enjoying a drive to see holiday displays and lights.

This year, as we have slowed down a little – or a lot – more, we have discovered in a new and deeper way the importance of friendship, community and connection. The “little things” really are the big things.

I’m optimistic about the days, weeks and months ahead. We have so much to look forward to. Next Monday marks the winter solstice – the point where the sun is lowest in the sky and we have the shortest number of daylight hours. After that, we will start to see more hours of daylight every day, up until June. In the meantime, we can get outdoors and enjoy all the breathtaking natural beauty Alberta has to offer.

In the weeks ahead, as more people follow current provincial restrictions, we hope the numbers of COVID-19 cases will begin to decrease significantly. The promise of the first vaccine against the coronavirus is another source of encouragement, and hopefully it will be quickly followed by other approved vaccines.

While we look forward to a gradual return to “normal life,” I hope we also remember and take pride in how we have united as fellow Albertans over the past year. Our positive, resilient attitudes, our perseverance and dedication – not just as public school board trustees but also as committed community builders – are the ties that bind us.

I wish you and your loved ones peace, contentment, health and safety over the holidays, and all the very best in 2021 from all of us at the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta!

Cathy Hogg,
President