Dear Jessica Brennan,
It is the American thanksgiving today, a holiday we Canadians celebrate in October, but I wanted to take this opportunity to be grateful once again.
We have been very fortunate in our lives to enjoy two families – A “real” one, and a chosen one, made up of dear friends. Over COVID, when we couldn’t see any of our family though, I had the surprise pleasure of being accidentally adopted by another family. Let me explain.
One day, maybe around the spring of 2020 I started to get calls to my mobile phone that initially I ignored and deleted. They always started the same way, with someone crying in a happy exclamation, “Hello Hurricane Families!” I would shake my head and wonder what was being solicited. Why must these Hurricanes take me by storm? How do I get off this hurly-burly list?
Finally, one day I decided to listen right to the end of the message and, as fate would have it, I discovered that my number must have been mistakenly entered as a parent on a phone tree for a private school in Florida. The South Seminole Academy in Casselberry, Florida to be exact, and once I knew that, I started to happily anticipate the regular updates.
During the pandemic, Florida wasn’t closed down the way Canada was, not at the start anyway, so in my flurry of calls, I began to hear all the plans for Hurricane spring sports, summer programs and then fall activities. Each evening Dad would ask me if I got a Hurricane call, and I would tell him what the kids were up to that week. “There’s a virtual awards ceremony that will be available on the YouTube Channel, and in-person students will receive their award or certificate in their first-period class.” I imagined a proud kid pulling out a certificate with her name on it, crisp and ready for a frame.
I had to find out more about this new limb on my family tree, and as I dug, I discovered that in addition to a focus on Law and Leadership, South Seminole Academy students are encouraged to learn twelve languages (yes 12) through their Language Labs. I was very impressed by that and in fact, if they took mature students, I would apply myself.
As summer approached again, my Hurricane calls came with a gust of impressive programs planned to brave the scorching weather with summer fun. “Breakfast, lunch and transportation will be provided”. What? I’m in.
I started following the academy on Instagram and Facebook, and just by being Hurricanes and going about their day, they made my day better. By going to school, and respecting others, my life was brighter 1319 miles away in Canada. It showed me that you can be inspiring even when you don’t know anyone is looking. What we do every day matters.
I am truly impressed with the folks who created this happy accident. South Seminole Academy has the only Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp in Central Florida and their vision is, “Empowering students to lead while finding their voice and inspiring others to find theirs.” Taking responsibility for your actions and respecting others is noticeably high on the list of expectations. Dear Jess, I can say with certainty that if we had lived in Casselberry, Florida, a Tree City USA community with over thirty lakes and ponds, you would have definitely been a Hurricane. Next time I’m in Florida, I will be trying to make a girls’ basketball game.
Since the fall, my Hurricane updates have dwindled to something more like a breeze, much to my disappointment, until a few days ago when I heard the familiar call come in. “There’s been a minor accident on State Road 46 between Galileo and Geneva that’s blocking access. You’ll need to go the long way around to pick up students. Expect delays.”
I’m sending out a big Thanksgiving thank you to the Hurricane family for letting me have a glimpse into their world. Or should I say I’m thanking the Huracán, Orkaan, Uragano, Bao, Duufaan, Hurikán, Huragan, Hurrikan, Makani ino, Hurrikaani, Uragan or Stuhi?
Love,
Mum xo
PS – 8 December, lunch at the academy is Roasted Turkey & Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Dinner Roll & a Cookie. Road trip?