ALMOST Revisited My son, Ben, is now eleven, but his passion to play outside is just as strong as when he was two. At two, Ben’s favorite word was almost , and he used it to describe his endless attempts to score a basket, catch a ball, or make a goal. He wouldn’t make the shot, but almost . He would kick the ball a thousand times at the soccer goal, missing them all, and yet each time squeal gleefully that he didn’t make it, but almost ! I would laugh, toss the ball back to him, and say, “Wow, Bud! Almost ! Why don’t you line it up, and take another shot. ” Almost was the game, because it meant that we got to keep playing. Almost was the chance to stay outside, play, laugh, and be together for just a little while longer. Almost was better than making it, because the game was not yet over. I’m sure that the word almost is heard frequently in your own homes these days, too. We’re not quite done with the school year, but almost . We are not yet
I am so touched by the Hammond culture of giving. It is present every day, both individually and collectively, and this time of year it is even greater. Our LS families have exceeded expectations in their giving to Families Helping Families, and tomorrow our LS Faculty will be enjoying a holiday lunch thanks to our Lower School Council. Thank you to everyone. Through our Tuesday Talks, we have extended the concept of giving through discussions of wants and needs and encouraging students to participate in school service efforts to help others. We work to support students' sense of community and civic responsibility, increasing their compassion for others, and discovering for themselves that even one young person can make a difference in the life of another. This time of year is filled with wonderful stories of miracles and light from many cultures and religions around the world. I think of it as a time of year in which we all want to remember that beautiful, magica