The Holidays bring about good and bad memories of past holiday seasons.  I have a girlfriend Nancy who newly divorced is having her first Thanksgiving without the kids this year.  It's tough; there is no denying it.  Thanksgiving will be different for her; but that doesn't mean it'll be bad.  We've talked about my first Thanksgiving without my daughter and new traditions I put in place when celebrating as a single person.  For me, service work was a blessing.

Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday - a day of appreciation for the amazing legacy I've inherited and the abundance with which I'm blessed.  With heart-felt gratitude, this Thanksgiving season, I'm reflecting on and appreciating the many people on whose shoulders I stand.  Their lives and contributions have eased my path.

I was watching The Voice when an ad came on for Sprint, "This Thursday is Black Friday!" I seem to have a vague memory that this Thursday was suppose to be something special, a day where we were supposed to do something, but for the life of me I can't remember what.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I have been thinking about everything I have to be grateful for.  Healthy children, wonderful schools with compassionate educators, a wonderful husband who is commited to philanthropy, work and his "new job" as a football coach.  My parents and in laws are well and independent, my dog brings joy to our household each day. I love my work and get pleasure each day from educating adult learners.  

I am blessed.

All this being said, would you like to know what I am most grateful for this year?

THANKSGIVING VACTION!

This week New York saw one of its greatest natural disasters with the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy. Homes and workplaces were destroyed in some areas. My town lost power, and many of the people in my community may be sitting in the dark for a week or more, and we count ourselves lucky in my little village up the Hudson River.

Before embarking on a mini-reading-research project, I brought my narrative-loving two year old to high school for two twenty minute visits.  I ultimately want create something unique, but of value to other educators and parents.

Asking the Right Questions, Big questions require context

What it is:  Relevant questions suited to the context of the situation.

What is Context?  The meaning of a situation understood as part of its interrelated circumstances.  Context tells us how to interpret and prioritize everything.

Although the speed of the runners, myself included, was average for a 5K run, nothing about the commitment of the late Michael Daly’s friends and family was anything but exceptional. They honored the life of their brother, son and friend with their walk/run benefit to cure juvenile diabetes.

By Joy Rose, Founding Director Museum Of Motherhood, NYC

Engaging students, volunteers, academics and experts has proved to be the secret ingredient for our 501c3 non-profit survival at the Museum Of Motherhood during our start-up year. Salaries are often limited or non-existent, but enthusiasm runs high and there’s always a collaborative energy circulating throughout the gallery space and programming efforts.

It seems to be the question of the moment according to most news outlets.

Am I better off now than I was four years ago? Absolutely. Will I be better off in 2016 than I am now? Absolutely. Better off in 2020 than 2016? Absolutely.