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October 2023
Dear Aristoi Parents,
When the weather turns cool I feel a little more cheerful, I move a bit slower (not in a humdrum kind of way, but in a more peaceful kind of way), and I have this overall desire to bake some delectable morsel to warm the hearts and tummies of my loved ones. There is something about the cool air that calms my spirit, boosts my energy, and makes me feel generous. Maybe there’s some scientific reason for this change, but I like to think it’s because this time of year brings so many memories of sharing and doing good for others. It’s the time of year we look for ways to help others, to seek out opportunities to help those in need.
Our focus in Communitas this month is on the virtue of charity—showing loving kindness or brotherly love to one another. I have the privilege of witnessing our young scholars practice charity every day at school. I see kindergarteners reach down to help a friend who has not yet learned to tie their shoes. I see a concerned child take another by the hand who might be feeling lonely at recess. I see students offer a hug to a classmate who is missing his mommy. I see charity in the classroom when one scholar encourages another struggling through a recitation, and urges others to work diligently on their classwork so they can improve their grades. I see it when they offer to help sweep the cafeteria or pick up trash from the playground. Our scholars are growing in character and it is beautiful to witness.
This time of year is full of opportunities to teach our children what it means to be charitable. Charity is such an important virtue, one that I believe encompasses all other virtues. If we teach our children to exemplify honesty, wisdom, justice, courage, temperance, respect, and humility but we miss teaching them to do so while loving others, what have we really accomplished?
One of my favorite memories as a child is of coming home from school on several occasions and finding our kitchen table, pantry, and countertops covered with groceries. You see, my dad was undergoing cancer treatment and was on disability, my mom worked as a school secretary, and money was very tight. Even as a child I understood the sacrifice a person would have to make to bless our family of five in such a way. Knowing that someone thought about us and realized how we might be struggling helped me somehow to not feel so isolated and made life not look so grim.
I encourage you to take full advantage of all this season has to offer in the way of opportunities to give charitably, and to show friends, family, and neighbors what true love looks like. Be the hands and feet of love. I’ll be honest—I do not like Halloween. I am a great, big chicken when it comes to scary things. I have seen others set an excellent example for me though by looking at Halloween as an opportunity to share with the neighbors and to shine a little light on their street when everything else is dark and scary. I encourage you to take your kids to bless someone else on Thanksgiving and give rather than just consume on that day. As the weather cools us off and we begin to think of the holidays approaching, let’s take time to remember the best gifts we’ve received, good deeds done for others, and ways we have been blessed by others. Let us look for ways to love one another better and grow in virtue together.
Blessings,
Allison Bayles
Counselor/504
Aristoi Katy Grammar
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