--- title: A Mystery Cousin Opens Up New Worlds description: "The discovery of a long-lost Amish cousin opens up a new world and brings new perspectives for St. Luke's Julia Gabriele. This insightful \"Meditation\" reminds students to slow down, unplug from technology, and connect to the beauty of the world and people all around them." image: https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/JuliaGabrieleMeditation_FoundCousin_wo.jpg --- [![](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/logo-2025.png)](https://www.stlukesct.org/) [![SLS-Logo-2025-white](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/SLS-Logo-2025-white.png)](http://www.stlukesct.org/) ![blogleadingvoices banner.jpg](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/blogleadingvoices%20%20banner.jpg?width=1000&name=blogleadingvoices%20%20banner.jpg "blogleadingvoices banner.jpg") [Inquire](https://stlukesct.myschoolapp.com/page/admissions/apply-to-sls/inquire-online) [Visit](https://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/visit-us) [Apply](https://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/apply-to-sls) # [A Mystery Cousin Opens Up New Worlds](https://blog.stlukesct.org/yourworld) by [Julia Gabriele](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/julia-gabriele-associate-head-of-school-chief-financial-officer) ![Julia Gabriele: Associate Head of School & Chief Financial Officer](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Gabriele_Julia203.jpg) *From Julia Gabriele's Meditation presented to St. Luke's Upper School Students:* Today, I want to talk to you about how a big world can sometimes be small and small world can actually be rather big. For thirty years, yes, 30 years, I have worked here at St. Luke’s. I have celebrated triumphs, I have seen a full generation come and go, I have hugged and I have wept. I have even raised my own children here. I’ve travelled and lived abroad, but for the most part...This has been my world.   I love my life here on the Hilltop but I have wondered at times—is there something more out there? Something bigger and better? The world’s a big place. Maybe I should leave St. Luke’s and be a part of that. Then something really interesting happened… *Watch Julia's full Meditation.*   If you enjoyed this post, please read **[3 Ways to Kickstart Gratitude](https://blog.stlukesct.org/3-ways-to-kickstart-gratitude)** by Head of School Mark Davis.   ---   - - - - [![Learn more about St. Luke's - download our brochure](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2035825/45ec86aa-f07f-4c17-bcfd-1ed3b8453a3e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2035825/45ec86aa-f07f-4c17-bcfd-1ed3b8453a3e)         ## Leave a comment ### Get our latest blog posts! ![Julia Gabriele: Associate Head of School & Chief Financial Officer](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Gabriele_Julia203.jpg) [Julia Gabriele](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/julia-gabriele-associate-head-of-school-chief-financial-officer) Julia Gabriele is a 30-year veteran of St. Luke's. She began her career as a teacher, held many leadership roles including Head of Upper School, and in 2007 became the Assistant Head of School for Finance & Operations. ![profile_icon.png](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/profile_icon.png?width=200&height=200&name=profile_icon.png) ### By Author - [Amber Berry: Former Head of Middle School ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/amber-berry) - [Beth Yavenditti: Director of Global Education ( 3 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/beth-yavenditti-director-of-global-education) - [Carrie Meatto: Spanish Teacher ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/carrie-meatto-spanish-teacher) - [Daphne Teittinen-Schreck: ESS Director ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/daphne-teittinen-schreck-ess-director) - [Dr. Jason Haynes: History Chair ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/dr-jason-haynes-history-chair) - [Dr. Stephanie Bramlett: Former Director of Inclusive Excellence ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/dr-stephanie-bramlett-former-director-of-inclusive-excellence) - [Gareth Fancher: Director of Emotional Intelligence ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/gareth-fancher-director-of-emotional-intelligence) - [Georgia Rosenberg '19: Student ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/georgia-rosenberg-19-student) - [Hunter Martin: Summer Program Director ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/hunter-martin-summer-program-director) - [Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion ( 4 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jacqueline-nelson-director-of-equity-and-inclusion) - [Jane Olsen: Fifth Grade Teacher (retired) ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jane-olsen) - [Jason Giffen: Director of Enrollment Management ( 4 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jason-giffen-director-of-enrollment-management) - [Jessie Samuel, Fifth Grade Science Teacher ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jessie-samuel-fifth-grade-science-teacher) - [Jim Foley: Asst. 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[REQUEST MORE INFO](https://info.stlukesct.org/get-started) - [Come Visit Us](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/visit-us) - [Apply Now](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/apply-to-sls) - [Make a Gift Today](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/giving-at-st-lukes) - [![Facebook](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Facebook.png)](http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Lukes-School/44751060933) - [![instagram](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Instagram.png)](http://instagram.com/stlukesct) - [![twitter](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/stlukesschool) - [![youtube](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/YouTube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/stlukes377/featured) - [![pinterest](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Pinterest.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/stlukesct/) - [![linkedin](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/LinkedIn.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/st--luke%27s-school) St. Luke’s School is a secular private school in New Canaan, Connecticut for grades 5 through 12 serving 25 towns in Connecticut and New York. 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St. Luke’s balanced, multi-dimensional experience provides students with the tools they need for leadership and service in the world. ![St. Luke's Logo and Contact Block](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/footer%20Logo.png) - [377 North Wilton Road New Canaan, CT 06840](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/377+N+Wilton+Rd,+New+Canaan,+CT+06840) - [(203) 966-5612](tel:(203)%20966-5612) - [info@stlukesct.org](mailto:info@stlukesct.org) - [**Contact Us**](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/facultystaff-directory) - [![NAIS](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/NAIS.png)](http://www.nais.org/Pages/default.aspx) Open Sitemap - [Admissions](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions) - [Welcome](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/welcome) - [Visit Us](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/visit-us) - [Apply to SLS](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/apply-to-sls) - [FAQs](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/faqs) - [Tuition & Financial Aid](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/tuition--financial-aid) - [Academics](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics) - [Love of Learning](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/love-of-learning) - [Curriculum](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/curriculum) - [Middle School](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/middle-school) - [Upper School](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/upper-school) - [Academic Resources](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/academic-resources/advisory-program) - [Learning & Technology](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/learning--technology) - [College Counseling](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/college-counseling) - [Center for Leadership](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/center-for-leadership/find-your-voice-make-a-difference-) - [Find your voice. Make a difference.](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/center-for-leadership/find-your-voice-make-a-difference-) - [designLab](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/center-for-leadership/designlab) - [Inclusion](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/center-for-leadership/inclusion) - [Global](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/center-for-leadership/global) - [Service](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/center-for-leadership/service) - [Leading Voices](http://blogs.stlukesct.org/leadingvoices/) - [Lunch & Lead](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/center-for-leadership/lunch--lead) - [Athletics](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/athletics) - [Home of the Storm](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/athletics/home-of-the-storm) - [Team Pages](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/athletics/team-pages) - [Athletics Calendar](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/athletics/athletics-calendar) - [Sports Medicine](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/athletics/sports-medicine) - [Championships](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/athletics/championships) - [Athletic Facilities](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/athletics/athletic-facilities) - [Storm Zone](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/athletics/storm-zone) - [Alumni Athletes](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/alumni/alumni-athletes) - [SLS Squash Club](http://www.slsquash.org/) - [Arts](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/arts) - [The Arts at SLS](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/arts/the-arts-at-sls) - [Visual Arts](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/arts/visual-arts) - [Music](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/arts/music) - [Theatre](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/arts/theatre) - [Arts Facilities](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/arts/arts-facilities) - [Community](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community) - [A Culture of Kindness](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/a-culture-of-kindness) - [This is Us](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/this-is-us) - [Parents](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/parents) - [Trustees](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/trustees) - [Alumni](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/alumni) - [Traditions & Innovations](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/traditions--innovations) - [Giving at St. Luke's](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/giving-at-st-lukes) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1848052215220399&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://2035825.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2035825/Julia%20Gabriele%20Med%2010-18-18.mp4", "dateModified" : "2022-05-27T22:06:18.485Z", "description" : "Julia Gabriele reflects on a long-lost cousin and all they had to learn from one another.", "duration" : "PT10M37S", "height" : 720, "name" : "Julia Gabriele Meditation", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://api-na1.hubapi.com/filemanager/api/v3/files/thumbnail-redirect/6386625093?portalId=2035825&size=medium", "uploadDate" : "2018-10-24T19:25:50.754Z", "width" : 1280 } ```