THANKSGIVING: SAYING GRACE
Vacaville community leaders share what they're thankful for
As it does each day, the sun chases the darkness and a new morning is born.
Except today is Thanksgiving, when we normally gather with friends and family, share a meal and give thanks for a year of love and laughter and togetherness.
Our celebration may be different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but blessings still abound. Just ask the handfuls of Vacaville community leaders who shared with The Reporter what they’re so very grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Like Rabbi Chaim Zaklos with Chabad of Solano County.
“It’s definitely been a challenging year... but I’m grateful for experiencing the
challenges,” he said, as blessings become clearer.
He explained that we live in a time where we’re surrounded by stuff, focused on stuff.
“We fail to appreciate the moment that we’re in, the blessings that we’re given,” he advised.
The rabbi encourages people to come at life from a place where nothing is expected.
“When you live with an attitude of gratitude all the time, anything that comes after is a plus,” he shared
Bentley Stewart, M.Div:
Pastor, Christian Church of Vacaville
“At this moment, I am grateful for my family, my friends, and my faith community. At this time, when
it is not safe for all of these groups to gather in person, I am grateful for the technologies that are keeping us connected. I am grateful especially for everyone who is making sacrifices to keep safe the people that I cherish: healthcare workers, grocery clerks, delivery drivers, and everyone staying home and wearing a mask when they must go out.”
Mayor Ron Rowlett
“This year has taught me to be thankful for the small joys we have in our life — taking a walk with my son, seeing my wife smile and laugh, enjoying a nice meal together and sharing about our day. I have learned to appreciate those moments so much more. They mean more to me than the any of things that this year has kept us from.” Danny Wells: Communication Director, Northern California
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“With the shadows of adversity on every corner, and amidst the cacophony of distressing news worldwide, comes the gift of choice, and the simplest of remedies. Rather than focusing on what we cannot do, when we focus on what we can do, rich blessings follow. Take the opportunity today to express gratitude for all that you have. Embrace all of God’s glorious creations that surround us everywhere. May the power of gratitude leave its heal
ing mark upon our wounded souls, as we daily ponder and share thoughts of gratitude, and collectively change the world.”
Jane Shamieh:
Superintendent, Vacaville Unified School District
“I am thankful to live in such a wonderful community and for the privilege of leading such a spectacular school district.
“I am thankful for Vacaville Unified School District employees for responding heroically to this pandemic with commitment and dedication. All employees, from our district leadership and governing board, to teachers, school staff, bus drivers, technicians and secretaries, have been tenacious, loving and innovative in their service to students and have shown strength and resolve during this uncertain time of difficult decisions and confusing information.
“I am thankful for our parents for their patience and support while being our partners in education. And most importantly, I appreciate our students who have been incredibly resilient and continue to give us joy and a true sense of purpose.
“Let’s all be mindful of the sacrifice, dedication and love of the profession that it takes to be in service to students. My hope is that we continue to embrace the attitude of gratitude together and not forget our grace.”
The Rev. Mack Olson, Rector: Church of the Epiphany
“Despite the pandemic, we’ve been able to continue serving meals at Epiphany every Tuesday and Friday for the homeless and the hungry in Vacaville, and I am especially grateful for Erica Serface of Erica Marie’s Catering, who has provided many of those meals over the past 9 months. Despite the impact COVID-19 has had on her business, her continuing generosity and care for our community has been an inspiration!
“I am also thankful for the new ways we’ve been able to be the church online. Through Facebook and Zoom, we’ve been able to connect with each other and indeed make new friendships and connections over the internet. Over the past 9 months, these connections have really grown and sustained us.
“I am also thankful for all small and simple ways people have continued to reach out to each other. I find myself deeply touched whenever I receive a card or hand-written note! “Finally, it feels strange to say that I am “grateful” for this, but I am hopeful that our nation’s growing awareness of the realities, costs, and impacts of systemic racism will bring real change to our communities and nation as a whole.”
Chief John Carli:
Vacaville Police Department
“Thanksgiving is personal for me and unique to my family as direct descendants of the historic Mayflower journey and the Plymouth Colony.
“The struggles we have all experienced in 2020 are a stark reminder of recognizing what is important in life to us all. I am thankful for my family and all the blessings in my life, even as we feel the stress of this unprecedented time.
“While so many have suffered this year, I am hopeful for a time in the near future when we can come together instead of being isolated. As people we are meant to be in community, and need each other.”
Raleigh Galgan:
Pastor, Valley Church
“I’m thankful that my faith anchors me in difficult seasons and that there is a sovereign plan. For all things, I believe, will work together for good for those that believe. And then I’m thankful for my family, that 11 of my 14 grandkids live within a mile of me and three of my four kids. So I’m very blessed, and we’re all healthy and only one of our 24 family members have gotten COVID and she is a 21-year-old at the University of Alabama and it just put her down for a day or so.”
Anna Eaton:
Executive Director, Vacaville Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club
“Aside from whatever everybody else is thankful for — family, friends, love — one of the things I talked to the children about the other day was just being able to live life in gratitude despite everything going on. And when you choose to live life that way, so many more beautiful things open up to you and life does not seem so hard.
“But I’m really thankful that we have a community that 100 percent agrees that we need to put our kids first. So we have a lot of supporters who are behind us in staying open in 2020 serving the children and I’m thankful that kind of support has allowed us to open and operate full day.”
Chief Kris Concepcion: Vacaville Fire Department
“I think personally the biggest thing that I’m most thankful for is my family, first and foremost, especially because of the fact that my immediate family has been able to stay healthy. Despite the coronavirus, we’ve been spared from it so far. And even though myself and my children are working, they’ve been spared from it. So that’s probably the thing I’m most thankful for.
“And then as far as the Fire Department is concerned, I’m most thankful for the fact that even though our firefighters are going out on a daily basis and treating patients with coronavirus, we have largely been able to maintain our staff, and our staff and our firefighters are healthy.”
Colleen Berumen:
Executive Director, Opportunity House
“I’m thankful for a community that always steps up, I’m thankful for staff that tirelessly keep our programs running, I’m thankful for a board of directors that keep true to our mission and I’m thankful to our residents and graduates that work the program everyday! I’m also very thankful for my family that keeps me grounded and supports me in all that I do.”
Meanwhile, we at The Reporter are thankful to be able to serve our community and from our homes to yours, we hope you have a joyful Thanksgiving.