From the Desk of Fran Lukens

The Gift of Perspective

Dear St. Anne's School Family, 

 

Christmas is about giving and receiving gifts and gaining perspective about the significance of some of the simplest gifts we receive.  When I was asked to write a response to Psalm 33 for the St. Anne's Church Advent Booklet, I was thrilled that the focus was music, because my love of music and its ability to move me spiritually are two gifts I received as a child. 

 

Growing up, I listened to my dad running through beautiful Mozart concertos on his French horn as I did my homework each night. I played the violin in the school orchestra, and joined the junior choir at church as soon as I was old enough.  

 

Just like my family members, our students have gotten used to my habit of singing hymns and other favorite melodies at various times in the day and in the classroom. Singing soothes me when I'm worried, raises my awareness of the beauty of God's world around me when I'm busy, and fills my soul with pure joy.  When I have the opportunity to sing with our students, I feel the sweetness of blending my voice with them and have a sense of the communion we are creating together.

 

This year, I have been reminded of another gift I have received.  In 1988, Marge Haux, Jul Lee Martensson's mother, retired as Director of the St. Anne's Nursery Kindergarten and handed the reins over to me.  I received the gift of her leadership in the school as a parent and teacher. Over thirty years ago, I first heard a song my young son was learning in a chapel she led: This Is the Day. It's a repetitive song with an almost boring melody, but I have always loved it for its simple message that it is good to sing praise for this day "that the Lord has made." I have continued the tradition she handed down to me.  At St. Anne's School, our littlest students sing this song in weekly chapel. At all school chapels, the Middle School students chime in happily to enjoy the familiarity and memory of growing up with this song.

 

This fall, I heard my granddaughter sing it during a visit with me.  She had learned it in the Annapolis Twos program at school, taught by Jul Lee.  My heart filled with joy as I joined Astrid in the song and thought about the unexpected gifts that mean so much.

 

On Thursday night, we received another gift Marge handed down: our traditional Friendly Beasts production, which was dedicated in honor of Marge.  I was happy that the performance was so beautifully done on this special occasion for the Haux/Martensson family.

 

Marge's gifts just keep on giving, and I am grateful to have kept her legacy alive in this simple way.  Looking back and thinking about the school as it continues to celebrate its rich legacy and tradition, I can truly have a perspective on how simple gifts mean so much.

 

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

 

Fran Lukens

Head of School 

Psalm 33 

 

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;  

it is fitting for the upright to praise him.  
Praise the LORD with the harp;  
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.  
Sing to him a new song;  
play skillfully, and shout for joy.  

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

 
Proof of the Pudding  

At St. Anne's School, our students learn about the significance of giving and receiving simple gifts.  One of our graduates, Peter Doley, was also asked to write a piece for the St. Anne's Church Advent Booklet.  He wrote about working with Head Start and his trip to Guatemala to help young children there.  I was impressed with how he was able to take a big experience and its meaning and write about it so compellingly. Read Peter's Advent Reflection