TIMELY REMINDER AS THANKSGIVING APPROACHES

In return, the immigrants gave the real Americans smallpox and stole their land.

ABOUT THANKSGIVING

My friend, the poet, sends two fine poems.  The first made me smile.  The second sounds a more serious note.

Wild 1, Early Riser 0

something breaking

crunch   scraping    bang of metal

oh! out of the edge of sleep   cold

recognition     awake

just ice removal beyond the window

that time of year now   officially

    screaming   cursing     must get up to see

ha! knew there were some around

further out of town

wild turkey attacking the man

clearing glazed, dusted suv

count nine of them flitting  dancing

annoyed by salt spreading truck

do not speak this dialect

of poultry   just the sound objecting

   “wicked oppressor,  wicked oppressor”

as Tom takes another run at handy human

wielding broom at feathers black and brown

        not connecting

root for the not genetically engineered

sleek and sturdy birds

hatless in a fresh wave of freezing sleet

count his running retreat to lobby

a win for the wild ones

(Marthe G. Walsh) 

 

Most Call It Thanksgiving …

Where there are humans, there are holidays,

celebrations of hunt, harvest, hubris

or just hope that harsh facts will cede to better ways.

With bonfire, sacrifice, feasting and prayer,

remembrance of triumph, thanks given for

seasons or old cycles washed in soap of new care,

the wanted, the wilted, both lost and found,

seem to crave reprieve from unsteady stream,

ordinary existence of life on this ground.

If one does not join in, heed herding’s call,

suspicion abounds, hints that rejection

lurks in lone contemplation, spoils for a joy fall,

but no, no, it is just a choice, a taste

for still moments to reflect and to think,

to note and to notice what was gained, what laid waste.

A Pilgrim is stranger, traveling light,

lost without some injustice to balance,

some truth to discover, some old wrong to set right.

It will not be grim, my Thanksgrieving fast,

for I am glad of many things, and, too,

aware that tradition can help oppression last.

(Marthe G. Walsh)

THANKSGIVING MUSICAL HUMOR

IN THANKSGIVING FOR 52 YEARS TOGETHER

 

We thank you, most gracious God, for consecrating our marriage in Christ's Name and presence.  Lead us further in companionship with each other and with you.  Give us grace to live together in love and fidelity, with care for one another.  Strengthen us all our days, and bring us to that holy table where, with those we love, we will feast forever in our heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(The Book of Occasional Services - Episcopal Church)

 

ONLY YOU

Only you can make this world seem right
Only you can make the darkness bright
Only you and you alone
Can thrill me like you do
And fill my heart with love for only you

Only you can make this change in me
For it's true, you are my destiny
When you hold my hand
I understand the magic that you do
You're my dream come true
My one and only you

Only you can make this change in me
For it's true, you are my destiny
When you hold my hand
I understand the magic that you do
You're my dream come true
My one and only you

Not Shakespeare, of course, but very nice for slow-dancing back in the day.

HAPPY ST BENEDICT'S DAY

Saint Benedict Detail from a fresco by Fra Angelico - Museo di San Marco - Florence

"Live this life and do what ever is done in a spirit of thanksgiving. Abandon attempts to achieve security, they are futile. Give up the search for wealth, it is demeaning. Quit the search for salvation, it is selfish. And come to comfortable rest in the certainty that those who participate in this life with an attitude of thanksgiving will receive its full promise."

-- St. Benedict of Nursia (480-543 C.E)

What a lovely way to live, and how often I forget to give thanks, which is the sure defense against falling into a state of cynicism and despair.  Reading the quote this morning brought me up short, because I was in a funk. The words were just what I needed to take me out of myself and mon tristesses.

Image from Wikipedia.

Update from my friend Doug:

"Apparently that lovely quote from St, Benedict that I published earlier today isn't Benedict at all, but from an author of spirituality books primarily for Episcopalians named John McQuiston II."

The words are still wonderful, even if they are not from St Benedict.

  

GET 'EM WHILE THEY'RE HOT

 

I had to do it.

From someecards.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

 

Collect of Thanksgiving Day

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

For Peace Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

ABOUT THANKSGIVING

 

Alas... 

GRATITUDE!

Thanks to Doug.

GEMS PURLOINED FROM OTHER PEOPLE'S BLOGS

From In a Godward Direction:

Thanksgiving and our Role

While preaching my extempore sermon for Thanksgiving Day, just prior to feeding the hungry in our parish hall, I realized I'd picked the Gospel for Year B insead of Year A (I'm already thinking next Sunday!) Perhaps this was a serendipity, though, for it struck me how well this Gospel about not worrying about what you will eat, drink, or wear fits in with this past Sunday's Gospel of judgment upon those precisely who failed to provide food, drink and clothing to the least among the king's family. God provides most of us with so much. Yet others have nothing. Isn't it then, through us, that "God provides" them with food, drink and clothing?

It is a scandal that today — this very night — people will starve to death while others scrape wasted food from their plates that they are unable to eat for surfeit and satiation.

Lord, have mercy. Even in thanks, remember. And more than remember, act! (My emphasis)

Tobias Stanislas Haller BSG

And we all say, "Amen!"

I have taken Tobias' post in its entirety. I hope he doesn't mind.

From Kirkepiscotoid:

I always find it interesting that the most common barb thrown by the "unhappy atheists" is always along the lines of trying to distill Christianity or any religion down to "where you end up when you die," when I would tell you that is the part that is rarely on my mind. I'm far more interested in Christianity teaching me how to live. (My emphasis)

Do I hear another "Amen!"?

Kirke's longer reflection is inspired by her mother's years-long battle with emphysema, and I urge you to read the entire post for it is very good.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

From the Associated Press:

Count your blessings this Thanksgiving. It's good for you.

While it seems pretty obvious that gratitude is a positive emotion, psychologists for decades rarely delved into the science of giving thanks. But in the last several years they have, learning in many experiments that it is one of humanity's most powerful emotions. It makes you happier and can change your attitude about life, like an emotional reset button.

Especially in hard times, like these.

Beyond proving that being grateful helps you, psychologists also are trying to figure out the brain chemistry behind gratitude and the best ways of showing it.
....

Preliminary theories look at the brain chemistry and hormones in the blood and neurotransmitters in the brain that are connected to feelings of gratitude, Emmons said. And the left prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is also associated with positive emotions like love and compassion, seems to be a key spot, especially in Buddhist monks, Emmons said.

However it works in the brain, Emmons said there is little doubt that it works

Always back to brain chemistry, but that's fine. There are those who must know not only that thankfulness works for the good but also the why of it.

I'm thankful for finding the article in my newspaper this morning, because I've been weighed down by the vast number of problems in the world, in the country, and in the church, most of which I cannot affect for good or for ill, and I have neglected to pay attention to all that is good in my life, especially the people. As the article suggests, I need to end each day by naming the people, the events, and the stuff of my life for which I am thankful.

St Paul reminds us:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things.
Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING FOR IRMA'S SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

Irma's surgery went well. She had to have a temporary colostomy but Dr. said surgery could not have gone better. The family feared it was cancer but none found. Thank everyone for their prayers. :) Frankie's family greatly appreciates it.

Thanks be to God, to the medical staff, and all who helped care for Irma.

Thank you all for your prayers.

O Lord, your compassions never fail and your mercies are new every morning: We give you thanks for giving our sister Irma both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in her we pray, the good work you have begun; that she, daily increasing in bodily strength, and rejoicing in your goodness, may so order her life and conduct that she may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

UPDATE ON AILEEN:

From her husband, Mike:

OK quick update, Aileen made it to Billings, did very well on the transport. Already getting her going with OT, PT and respiratory therapy. She is already doing great. I finally saw her wiggle her toes, just a tiny bit, but it was awesome! However she did lose blood again overnight and needed a transfusion by late afternoon. But I really think this was the right move. This is a great place with wonderful staff.

Prayers of thanksgiving for Aileen along with prayers for her continued recovery and for strength and courage for Mike and all who love and care for Aileen.

UPDATE ON PAUL THE BB

From Paul:

Thanks again for all the prayers. Surgery is completed and I am home. About to take another analgesic. Bill is looking after me. I look awful, with a nosebag that holds the gauze for normal bleeding, but glad to be home. The doctor will remove the packing tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks be to God, the medical staff, and all who cared for Paul, and special thanks and prayers for Bill, his chief care-giver now.

Thanks for letting us know, Paul. Hugs, kisses, and more prayers for a speedy recovery.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING FOR RICH

From Wade:

Thank you so much for the prayers, Rich's bypass was a success and he's home and reasonably comfortable. He was greeted very enthusiastically by his 85 pound Golden Lab Emmett, who really missed his Daddy, even though I give better treats!

{HUG}

--Wade

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING FOR DAVID

From Ann, whose son-in-law David, had surgery to remove a thyroid tumor. We asked for prayers for him here.

The good news from David:

Just talked to the surgeon-- benign--
no more surgery needed

Thanks be to God, the medical staff, and all who prayed. What a lovely Christmas gift!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, MY CANADIAN FRIENDS!!

BONNE ACTION DE GRÂCE, MES AMIS CANADIENS!!

From B4tea:

Thanksgiving Day in Canada has been celebrated since 1957, on the second Monday of October. It is a chance to give thanks for good harvest and other fortunes in the past year for the people. People have a day off work on this day, though perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is identified as a secular holiday now. Many stores and other organizations and businesses are also closed on this day.

Canadians eat their Thanksgiving meal with turkey and mashed potatoes and other meal such as pumpkin, corn ears and pecan nuts. At this time of year, a common image is seen of a cornucopia, or horn, filled with seasonal fruit and vegetables.

The Thanksgiving weekend is a well-liked time to take a short autumn vacation. Many other popular activities are also done including outdoor breaks to admire the spectacular colors of the Canadian autumn; hiking; and fishing. While who are the Fans of the teams in the Canadian Football League may expend their part of the weekend watching the Thanksgiving Day Classic matches.