January is typically a time of reflection and goal-setting. Many people decide to eat better, workout more, or give up a bad habit. My time as acting director over the last month has prompted me to add gratitude and humility to my list of mental exercises in the New Year. It is easy to take people, places, or things for granted when interacting with them daily. 

Watching the water crisis develop the week after Winter Break was humbling. In a developed nation, we take consistent utilities for granted, so much so that a breakdown in the water treatment plant crippled the RVA region for the better part of a week. This event also saw the MLWGS community come together. At the school, an impromptu water donation was arranged. Teachers from outside Richmond dropped off potable water, and teachers in the city picked up what they needed. At home, my family invited friends to come by to get showers or stock up on clean drinking water. When the boil advisory was lifted, I felt deeply grateful to the utility workers and engineers who had worked many nights to restore clean running water. I really appreciated seeing a community come together in a time of crisis. 

Dr. Lowerre’s absence has also made me reflect on gratitude. In assuming Dr. Lowerre’s duties with the PTSA, the Foundation, and the School Board, I didn’t fully appreciate the level of work required of the MLWGS director. I have stepped into tasks and roles I have never had before his absence. I miss the ability to walk down to his office and get advice on a thorny issue or to be able to get him on the radio during bus duty. He has been my constant companion and mentor for over eight years. Thankfully, I have been able to lean on Dr. Williams and our excellent staff to help steer the ship in his absence. I look forward to Dr. Lowerre’s return. I miss our easy interactions and lunchtime conversations. 

Gratitude for others was brought into sharp focus by the death of one of our own. I am thankful to have known and worked with Mr. Drew Austen, who died on January 1. I was awed by the number of students and faculty who came to his service to show their love. It made me realize that expressing gratitude and love to the people around you is never a wasted effort. You may never know the last time you will be able to. Watching the slide show at Mr. Austen’s service, I saw so many pictures of Mr. Austen with his family, especially his daughter. When I got home from the service, I held each of my children tight and told them how much I loved them. At school, I was so proud to see the MLWGS community spring into action after this tragedy: the faculty assembling a meal train for Mr. Austen’s family, the PTSA setting up a gift card donation, and the SCA collecting cards and notes. 

As we enter the new year, I hope you enjoy the same sense of gratitude and humility. Tell a friend how much you appreciate them, thank a teacher for their hard work, or say I love you to a family member today. I know that Mr. Austen lives on in our hearts and memories, and I am glad to share Dr. Lowerre has been discharged from the hospital. It’s also lovely to drink water around here. Thank you for all your support during an eventful month.