A few of the Chrysalis staff share what they're thankful for in
regards to being a part of the Chrysalis community:
“I'm thankful that I get to be a part of the
music program at Chrysalis. I love teaching girls about music and encouraging
their endeavors to learn an instrument (or two!), to have the courage to sing
in front of a crowd, or to write and compose their own music. I'm thankful that
I've been able to see how music impacts students’ lives in a positive way. I'm
also thankful for my work as the case manager at the Cottage. We have an
incredible group of girls here and our smaller community feels very warm and
almost like a family. Lastly, I'm thankful to live in a place where I can spend
my weekends outside doing the things I love.” – Michelle
“I'm
grateful to be teaching this group of girls and watching them grow and mature not
only in their academic skills, but in so many other ways as well. It is not
only a responsibility I take seriously, but a joy and a privilege I cherish. I
am thankful for fellow teachers who passionately desire to help kids and do odd
and often thankless tasks to show that love and care. I have the perfect
teaching job in so many ways: small class size, encouraging support, and
positive one on one with girls and staff. What a blessing!” – Darla
“I'm
thankful to be a part of a program that believes in girls and helps facilitate
lasting change in families. I'm thankful that running is a part of my daily work
responsibilities. I'm thankful for the table fellowship around meal time on
campus. I'm thankful for co-workers who have become good friends. I'm thankful
for collaboration with other professionals and programs. I'm thankful to live
in beautiful northwest Montana where I truly feel like myself.” – Carrie
“I
am grateful for the team of therapists I get to work with, and how we
collaborate to take care of the girls whose parents have entrusted them to our
care. And I'm grateful for our mountains!” –
Haley
“I
am thankful for being a part of a dedicated team who are helping families to
heal and to witness young women discover their true selves. I feel honored to
take care of many of the girls’ needs so they feel loved and cared for. I am
grateful that I get to do it in such a beautiful place!” – Leslie
“I
am so thankful to have the opportunity every day to spend time with the
passionate and smart young women at Chrysalis. I am thankful to have a job that
allows me to teach young women about how to be confident playing in the woods
and mountains of Montana. I am so thankful to walk down the road by our house
and see the gorgeous Whitefish Mountain Range covered in snow. I am thankful to
live and work in Montana!”– Ashton
“I
am so thankful for Chrysalis and the blessing it has been in my life! I am
thankful for the caring staff. I am thankful for the opportunity to meet
incredible students and their families from around the country. I am thankful
for the beautiful setting in which we have the privilege to work.” - Vicki
"I am thankful for the magic and healing of human connection
that surrounds me every day at Chrysalis. I am grateful for the resilience of
the human spirit, and our capacity to appreciate joy and wonder that is always
surrounding us if we will but look about. I am grateful for the amazing people
who work at Chrysalis and have dedicated themselves to helping girls and their
families to heal. I am thankful for the trust parents have placed in our
amazing team. I am especially thankful to our co-founder, Kenny Pannell, who has
imagined, created, lived and breathed "Chrysalis" over the last
fifteen years by my side. I am grateful for our fabulous, supportive partners
at InnerChange. I am thankful for all of my relatives and family, including
those extended Chrysalis family members." - Mary
“I've
always thought that Thanksgiving is arguably the best holiday of them all. No
gifts to buy during an overly commercialized shopping frenzy. No crowds to
fight through in every place where people gather. No confusion about what the
holiday is really about. No shock and regret when the January credit card
statements arrive. And, no extra weight to carry around for months since I
always display great restraint when it comes to holiday eating at Thanksgiving.
(I think this might be where people insert smiling little faces to suggest
intended humor.)
At
this time of year, I always feel enormous gratitude for my parents and grandparents,
who joined together and sacrificed to make my life truly meaningful in every
possible way. Their great expectations helped me realize who I was in the
context of my own, what values were necessary to shape a healthy life
and lifestyle, and what I might become in terms of the larger community of
which I am a part. I love and appreciate them for those critical inputs.
At
the other end of the family spectrum are my children, who are bright,
beautiful, and full of promise. I'm so grateful that they are healthy,
hard-working, kind, and generous of spirit. I couldn't be more proud of them
than I am.
I
also feel grateful for all the good people who have collaborated with us for
the past 15 years to make our little school a winning place to live and work. I
hear from our former students and their parents almost every week, and the
message is always one of thanksgiving. We have facilitated great change in the
lives of so many fine young people, and the futures that they've embraced are
full and rich because of the powerful investments made by our remarkable staff.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And
lastly, I would be entirely remiss if I didn't acknowledge the reservoir of
gratitude that I feel for my beautiful Mary, whose devotion to this place,
these people, and her family, make all the struggle and strain of our chosen
life totally worthwhile. She's the best. She's my favorite person in the world.
And I thank God everyday for her presence and partnership in my life.
We
are truly blessed! Happy Thanksgiving to one and all,” Kenny
~
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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