Warm Wishes

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe that six months have passed since I began my tenure at Smith College. The joy I experienced upon my arrival has only grown as I have felt your welcome, heard your concerns, engaged in conversation, and celebrated with you in the form of ice-cream socials, dinners in houses, athletics events, arts performances and exhibitions, coffee and doughnuts, and dance parties.

We have also faced challenges as violence continues to disrupt our world. From this we have had the opportunity to listen to and learn from each other and to cultivate equanimity, even when we disagree passionately. Perhaps one of the more counterintuitive lessons of this season has been the possibility of finding joy, even in the darkness. The renowned poet Ross Gay visited campus again this fall. He defines joy as what we feel “when we help each other carry our sorrows. ...” Through the pain and despair caused by world events, personal struggles, and daily concerns, we have the opportunity to help each other carry our sorrows and grow in community.

Now, as we come to the end of the semester and anticipate the quietude and rest of winter break, I hope each of you will find time to reflect, to share, to acknowledge the good. In this season of little sunlight in this part of the world, I urge you to treat these coming days as precious—relish time alone or with family and friends. I look forward to seeing you rested, ready, and perhaps even hopeful, when we reconvene in the new year.

Warm wishes and happy holidays,
President Sarah