The Gratitude Letters

There’s a reason we call our first language our mother tongue. It’s the language that in the beginning gives us safety, food, comfort, and belonging. So what happens when we move to a place where our first language becomes a foreign language?

In the summer of 2016, Fernando Daza was 13 years old. He had just arrived from Colombia, in a country where he couldn’t understand a word. Then someone spoke to him in his mother tongue. Her name was Melanie Tijerina. She was the principal of his new school, but to him, she will always be Mrs. T.

That first “hola” opened a door. Fernando went on to master English and discovered that a new language can open up a whole new world. And over 10 years, the principal who answered all his questions became the friend he would meet for coffee every month and someone she could also turn to for encouragement and counsel.

Today, Fernando speaks English – perfectly. But he’ll never forget the Spanish word that first made him feel at home.

Access more episodes: thegratitudeletters.org

Guest

Fernando Daza-Jabian

Melanie Tijerina

Credits

Executive Producer: Duane Stoltzfus

Host: Jen Shenk

Senior Producer & Sound Designer: Yebu Ji

Sound Engineering: Alex Dugger

Original Music: Hannis Brown

Marketing Manager: Melissa Troyer

Production Assistant: Hannah Smith

Audience Engagement Manager: Courtney Dobrzykowski

Music

Etude 13 LaSalle from Blue Dot Sessions

A Palace of Cedar from Blue Dot Sessions

Common Peace from Blue Dot Sessions

Simple Melody from Blue Dot Sessions

Smooth Planks from Blue Dot Sessions

Gelano from Blue Dot Sessions

Plaster Combo from Blue Dot Sessions

Gratitude Project_Bounce Hannis Brown

Gratitude Project_Uplift Hannis Brown

The Gratitude Letters is created in partnership with the Communication Department at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana, and is part of the More Than Just Stories project, with funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Distance is a low hurdle when it comes to expressing appreciation. Caoimhe Farrell left Ireland to study communication and run track at Goshen College. She stays in contact with her longtime coach and mentor back home, Mary Barrett, who lives 3,615 miles away in Galway, Ireland. Through many years of training, competitions, wins, and losses, Mary has been a source of inspiration and motivation. For the first time, Caoimhe found the words to thank her coach – in a letter that reflects on their relationship, built on years of consistent support, encouragement, and a shared commitment to reaching one’s full potential.

Guest

Caoimhe Farrell and Mary Barrett

Credits

Executive Producer: Duane Stoltzfus

Host: Jen Shenk

Senior Producer & Sound Designer: Yebu Ji

Sound Engineering: Alex Dugger

Original Music: Hannis Brown

Marketing Manager: Melissa Troyer

Production Assistant: Hannah Smith

Audience Engagement Manager: Courtney Dobrzykowski

Music

Bitter Roll from Blue Dot Sessions

Gelano from Blue Dot Sessions

The Coil Winds from Blue Dot Sessions

The Idle Eyes from Blue Dot Sessions

Interludium from Blue Dot Sessions

Mint Martini from Blue Dot Sessions

Enter the Room from Blue Dot Sessions

Gratitude Project_Bounce Hannis Brown

Gratitude Project_Theme Hannis Brown

Gratitude Project_Uplift Hannis Brown

The Gratitude Letters is created in partnership with the Communication Department at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana, and is part of the More Than Just Stories project, with funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc.

How do we say thank you to someone who is no longer with us? It started with a childhood conversation about wanting to be a spy, which developed into a lifelong friendship of advice-giving, support, and answers. This is a story of a pastor, Joe Richards, influencing another pastor, Ryan Ahlgrim. Through decades of countless conversations and guidance, Joe showed Ryan the true essence of ministry. Years later, long after Joe’s passing, Ryan reflects and shares his gratitude to the mentor who helped him become the pastor he is today.

Access more episodes: thegratitudeletters.org

Guest

Ryan Ahlgrim

Credits

Executive Producer: Duane Stoltzfus

Host: Jen Shenk

Senior Producer & Sound Designer: Yebu Ji

Sound Engineering: Alex Dugger

Original Music: Hannis Brown

Marketing Manager: Melissa Troyer

Production Assistant: Hannah Smith

Audience Engagement Manager: Courtney Dobrzykowski

Music

Gratitude Project_Theme By Hannis Brown

Gratitude Project_Bounce By Hannis Brown

Gratitude Project_ConstellationTwo By Hannis Brown

Gratitude_HarmonicLong By Hannis Brown

GratitudeProject_Uplift By Hannis Brown

Levin and Harper from Blue Dot Sessions

Slow Strutt from Blue Dot Sessions

Felt Lining from Blue Dot Sessions

The Town And Country Square Dance By Zip Wilson

Und Galaxe by Blue Dot Sessions

The Gratitude Letters is created by the Communications Department at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana, part of the More Than Just Stories project, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.

Some teachers you remember for a year. Some you remember for a lifetime.

Sixty-two years after kindergarten, James Gunden reads a letter of gratitude to Kathryn Aschliman.

In this Episode

“You’ll always be Miss Kathryn Aschliman to me.” The story of an extraordinary kindergarten teacher who went above and beyond for her students. 62 years later, James Gunden returns to thank his teacher for all the continuous love and support over a lifetime. They reflected on a long relationship of joyful giving. From learning to take care of pets to singing songs about chickens, little did Kathryn know of her impact on young James Gunden and so many others.

Guest

Kathryn Aschliman

James Gunden

Credits

Executive Producer: Duane Stoltzfus

Host: Jen Shenk

Senior Producer & Sound Designer: Yebu Ji

Sound Engineering: Grant Bachman & Alex Dugger

Original Music: Hannis Brown

Marketing Manager: Melissa Troyer

Production Assistant: Hannah Smith

Audience Engagement Manager: Courtney Dobrzykowski

Music

Gratitude Harmonic Long Hannis Brown

Gratitude Project Theme Hannis Brown

Gratitude Project Uplift Hannis Brown

Simple Melody from Blue Dot Sessions

Child's Play from Blue Dot Sessions

Glass Beads from Blue Dot Sessions

Dune Lullaby from Blue Dot Sessions

Evening White from Blue Dot Sessions

The Gratitude Letters is created by the Communication Department at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana, part of More Than Just Stories project, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.

Social media

Website: thegratitudeletters.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thegratitudeletters

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheGratitudeLetters

The Gratitude Letters is a podcast built on a simple premise: to honor the people who shaped us and inspire others to do the same, one letter at a time. Season 1 launches October 1st, with new episodes every other Thursday. Follow now so you don't miss the first one.