So many things bring me gratitude the Thanksgiving

A holiday message from Secretary Bunch

When I think back over the past year and a half, I am reminded of the Langston Hughes poem, “The Weary Blues.” Its title aptly describes the way most of us feel, our lives upended by the isolation, anxiety, and tragedy brought on by COVID-19, not to mention the frayed edges of the social, racial, and political threads that bind the nation.

This moment has also been an extraordinary show of resilience in the face of adversity. The members of the Smithsonian family have provided so many examples of pulling together and making our communities, our nations, and our Institution better. I could not be prouder of the way you have persevered and proven how special you are.

Our challenging circumstances have also afforded us an opportunity to recalibrate what is important to us, to reflect on the blessings our friends and family provide, and to recommit to the project of helping one another. To me, that is what Thanksgiving is all about, encapsulated by the simple joy of gathering with loved ones and experiencing the time-honored tradition of a shared meal.

This holiday, many of us will be traveling to reconnect with family and friends, perhaps even enjoying our first major gatherings since the pandemic began. Please continue to be safe and exercise the same caution with respect to the coronavirus that the Smithsonian community has been so diligent about. I am so pleased that most of us have been vaccinated; it is the best way to protect our colleagues and neighbors.

So many things bring me gratitude this Thanksgiving: the Smithsonian continuing its work as a cauldron of understanding, inspiration, and reflection; the way everyone across the Institution has continued to find ways to help people in a moment of crisis; the research, education, and scholarship that reaches millions and changes lives. In short, I am so grateful to all of you.

Thank you for all you have done to provide hope and to make our shared future one we can all look forward to. My warmest regards to you and yours, and I hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Lonnie Bunch
Secretary

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