Dear Friends and Family:

Welcome to the 8th Annual Kerns Thanksgiving Missive. For the past 7 years I have subjected my old work colleagues, family and friends to a missive about my personal reasons for being thankful, whether they wanted to hear it or not.  It is about why I am thankful for the opportunity to experience the love and friendship of the people who make up my life and to be able to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to us every day.   

For those who are new to this tradition, welcome, and to those who are veterans I hope you’re not yet tired of receiving my annual message of “thanks”……

As I sit down to compose this email there is a lot of distressing news in our world: global terrorism; hate, bullying and bigotry continue to be major issues; we are losing too many young people to the disease of addiction and the heroin epidemic; government officials who obviously do not have our best interests in mind; and the ever increasing economic challenges facing people every day.  With all of this it's hard to keep our heads and hearts wrapped around what we have that is good in our lives.  However, over the past 2 months I had the good fortune to be part of two separate and unrelated experiences that allowed, ....no....REQUIRED, me to appreciate my incredible good fortune.

I have the distinct honor of sitting on the Board of Trustees of a truly remarkable organization called "She's the First".  Without going into too much detail, STF sponsors girls' education in developing nations, with the goal of creating first-generation graduates while simultaneously engaging high school and college students here in the U.S. to become involved in global affairs.  You can visit STF at www.shesthefirst.org if you are interested in finding out more (or to donate if you are so inclined....sorry couldn't resist).  In October Jeanmarie and I had the privilege of traveling to Guatemala to meet some of the STF scholars. We actually met these scholars at their homes and also met their families.  It was a humbling experience.  I'd like to tell you about one of those scholars.

Anna Theresa lives in a village called Solela in an area of Guatemala that is distinct in both it's beauty (volcanoes, crater lakes, waterfalls, wildlife) and it's poverty.  Anna Theresa is 17 years old and lives with her extended family including her mother, father,  little sister, little brother, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  They all live in a Habitat for Humanities cinder block house with a dirt floor and very little furniture.  Anna Theresa's father lost one of his legs in an unfortunate accident that occurred years earlier and their only source of income is what he brings home from begging in the streets.  However, while we were visiting his home he made it clear that he was a very proud man and made sure that we knew that we were welcomed into his home.

While there is a public school system in Guatemala it still costs money to attend.  Even so, the education that the students receive is very limited, especially for girls.  Anna Theresa was determined to do better and lobbied and advocated for herself to attend a local private school.  Besides the cost, there was another major hurdle.  The school's curriculum is taught totally in English and she didn't speak English.  That didn't deter her.  In 8 months Anna Theresa understood and spoke English well enough to attend this school.

When we met Anna Theresa and her family she was very proud to show off her English skills.  Less than one year prior to our visit she faced the very typical fate of most girls in this area of being married off, getting pregnant and continuing the cycle of poverty for her family.  However, with the help of STF and a local organization called "Starfish", she will now have an opportunity to pursue a higher education and break that cycle.  Also, because she is looked up to by her little brother he will grow up with a greater respect for women and may help break the cycle of abuse and discrimination which is all too common for women in this part of the world.  This is the power of change that one courageous young woman can achieve, despite the many hurdles and challenges she has faced and will continue to face.

While we've all heard this type of inspiring story before, Jeanmarie and I got to experience it first hand.  So...yeah...it makes me thankful for, not only what we have been able to do for our daughters, but also that we had the amazing privilege of being welcomed into Anna Theresa's home by her mother and father.

The other experience occurred just this past Saturday.  We celebrated Jeanmarie's mom's 90th birthday.  Kathryn Hargrave was born on November 20th, 1924.  She gave birth to 8, is the grandmother to 16 and the great grandmother to 7.  I have been a member of this amazing family for 35 years and I am so thankful to have such amazing people in my life that consider me part of their family.  The love that was in that room on Saturday as we celebrated this amazing woman's life was enough to bring us all to tears.  (This is not to forget my own brothers and their families.  I am thankful that we still have each other, but they HAVE to like me.  ;-)  )

Of course, I continue to be thankful for the three amazing young women in my life (more thankful every year). Whether they live at home (Erin), nearby (Maura) or far away (Katty) they continue to bring me great joy (if not a few less hairs).

And lastly, as always, I am thankful for my incredible partner in life.  I would not be the person I am today (for better or worse) without the love that I have received for 35 years from Jeanmarie.

Thank you all, as well, for being a part of my life.  It continues to be an amazing ride.

Please have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving

Tom (a/k/a TK, #papakerns, Hit Man, grandpa and of course “tickles” – don’t ask)