Grateful

I have worked on this blog for a number of years. I have a schedule I try to stick to when it comes to writing and publishing posts. Sometimes, I even thinly sketch out a year’s worth of posts in advance. Usually when I do that, a lot of holes appear in the finished list. That is okay as some of my favorite things I have shared came about from a spur of the moment event or a turn of a phrase that caught my ear. Enough of those come along during the year for me to stay six or seven posts ahead of my schedule most of the time. I also usually know though how trying to adhere to such a schedule will find certain important holidays and unique family days always popping up near a regularly schedule post. Since I try to post every other Thursday, Thanksgiving hits close every year.

This year though, I have struggled with writing a special column for this holiday. As I grow older, and slower, it seems everything around me gains speed. I am not averse to the sensation quickness brings but sometimes I find things sneak up on me before I realize it.

It is also difficult to write anything new or profound knowing some truly struggle to get through this season. Maybe loved ones who once made this season special are no longer physically present or if they are they are not able to participate as they once did. Some are living through hard circumstances or battle demons some of us don’t understand.

Even as I wish otherwise, I know I can’t make those things better by spilling out a series of letters onto a screen.

But, there is hope, that intangible, hard-to-describe thing that sometimes prods us forward. I am grateful for hope.

In the season ahead, I trust all of us, at least for a short time, can shut out the screaming headlines, the negativity some love to sow and the other things that darken hope. Please put down the phone, the tablet, unplug the TV and focus on truly important matters. Find wonder in a newborn child, value the words of an older person, pull a memory close enough to you that it keeps you warm, find a way you personally can help someone who is struggling. In doing so, I hope each of us can find things that make us grateful.

Grateful for each hand we hold
Gathered round this table.
From far and near we travel home,
Blessed that we are able.

Grateful for this sheltered place
With light in every window,
Saying "welcome, welcome, share this feast
Come in away from sorrow."

Father, mother, daughter, son,
Neighbor, friend and friendless;
All together everyone in the gift of loving-kindness.

Grateful for what's understood,
And all that is forgiven;
We try so hard to be good,
To lead a life worth living.

Father, mother, daughter, son,
Neighbor, friend, and friendless;
All together everyone, let grateful days be endless.

Grateful for each hand we hold
Gathered round this table.

Mary Chapin Carpenter “Thanksgiving Song”

https://youtu.be/JVY9dNxlPao

Psalm 106:1

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.