Your Presence is the Present

“To be compassionate is to fully immerse yourself in the human condition.”

-Henri JM Nouwen

This quote gives me hope.

The holiday season is busy. Presents, cookies, family traditions, trees, work, decorations... The to-do list, this time of year, feels more like a treadmill. We are on a solid sprint to the finish line and very little can alleviate the flow. The holidays come with their own tensions as well. This time of family is not always the kindest time people can experience. And sometimes it’s a time where we feel the sting of absence more than the grind of conflict. The staff and community of Mountain Lake Academy get it. We understand how hard it can be to face the holiday season.

One person, who had faced several medical crises in his life told me: “I am just excited to be able to be there with my family this year.” Above all the highly marketed jargon of the season it was this simple sentence that stood out to me as my motto for this time of year. Of all the lessons I have learned from 2020, it is the value of togetherness that stands out to me. As songwriter Jack Johnson said, “You give me presents with your presence alone.” Or in other words, your presence is the present.

I think that among the bright milieu of lighted pathways, on busy cities or in quiet towns, within the solitude of our socially distanced homes, we can find respite this holiday season in the knowledge that we have each other. When I talk with our students, I often ask the question: “Who is the most influential person in your life and why?” Although the “who’s” vary from person to person, the “why’s” are consistently similar: “They were there for me when I needed them the most.” This sentiment often makes me think of those who are there for me, those who continue to be there, and those who are no longer present. It reminds me of the value of togetherness and how, we often take this for granted.

The staff and students of Mountain Lake Academy are learning to celebrate the “now” as much as the “not yet.” We are on a journey of togetherness and healing. We are present for the struggles and the successes. We are patiently guiding youth through the process of becoming. We are present for the moments where students succeed, and we celebrate those moments together. We are present for the moments where the process of growth challenges students to find new horizons that they have yet to encounter. We are celebrating those moments as well.

In a year where our “now” may seem impossible, and the “not yet” can feel unachievable it is the togetherness we share on the path that reminds us that we have help. Maybe the best reminder at the end of 2020 that we can give each other is, “YOU ARE NOT ALONE.”

The holidays can be hard. Pandemic holidays can be even harder. But the message that we, at Mountain Lake Academy, would like to share with your family is don’t give up, you are not alone. We are here to help you and your child through your most difficult times. We are equipped to help navigate trail and to discover new perspectives together. We are here with you and for you and will do whatever it takes to support your journey. We are here to give the present of our presence so that, together, we can heal.

From all of us, together: Happy Holidays!