I grew up not knowing about Thanksgiving, as this is mostly a celebration in the United States and Canada. But I have come to love this festive day which kicks off the holiday season. For many Americans, this is their favorite feast day for a variety of reasons: it is a secular fiesta that allows you to enjoy delicious food, the company of family and friends, a relaxed atmosphere where you can dress casually and watch the traditional Detroit Lions football game, and the freedom of not having to buy gifts, which for many is burdensome. No less important is the chance to enjoy a four-day weekend. No wonder people anticipate Thanksgiving!
But the holiday also involves being grateful for our blessings: “Be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude,” admonishes journalist E.P. Powell. Like you all, I have so many things to be grateful for, but I want to mention only one here: the kindness of Dr. Thomas Kostrzewa (Dr. K), a part-time WMU instructor who has been teaching at Western since the 1980s. Dr. K found out about a year ago or so that some of his students had credit card debt, and the thought that they would graduate with this debt tying them down prompted him to take action. He called a group of friends and proposed to take on these students’ debt; in return, students will pay back their debt at a 1-2% rate of interest (the same rate banks give for saving accounts). Students therefore will not have to pay the 24% or higher rate charged by credit card companies. Such high rates leave them paying only the interest, scarcely making a dent in the principal, thus chaining them to the debt for decades to come. Well, within a year the students have been able to pay a big chunk of their debt to these generous citizens. In addition, Dr. K has committed to giving presentations about credit card debt and how to confront this enemy. He gave a talk in the Lee Honors College November 5 and will have a second one in the spring semester, already scheduled for Thursday, February 4, at 7 p.m.
People like Dr. Thomas Kostrzewa, quoting American psychologist Abraham Maslow, make me "appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.” I encourage you to reflect on one person who has touched your life and whom you count among your blessings, and let him or her know that. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and recess!