Thanksgiving Prayer

Thank you, God, for a hundred things-
for the flower that blooms, for the bird that sings,
for the sun that shines,
and the rain that drops,
for ice cream and raisins and lollipops.

Thank you, God, for the gift of time-
For the clocks that tick, and the bells that chime,
for days gone by,
and future cheers,
For seasons, and moments, for hours and years.

Thanks for the people who give life pizzazz-
for folks who play sports, those who act and play jazz,
for friends and for families,
For folks of all races,
for hands that give help and for bright smiling faces.

Thanks for the planet you give as our home-
For the sky with its clouds, for the oceans white foam,
For the creatures and critters,
The lakes, falls and fountains,
For hills and for valley, for canyons and mountains.

Thank you, God, for the gift of your Son-
For the love Jesus shared, for the battle He won
Over death, for the promise
That He would be near
To lead and to guide and to hold us so dear.

Thank you, God, for a hundred things-
For autumn and pumpkins, for dragonfly wings
For Thanksgiving dinners,
For seasides and shore,
For a hundred things, and a thousand things more.

My brothers are facing major changes in their lives. I thank you, God for giving me the chance to speak with them, laugh, and joke with them, and reassure them that their lives will be better when these crisis are behind them. My oldest bro has had a mild heart attack. He refused to stay in the hospital when they wanted to do further tests, even a possible cardiac catherization. He is worried about the costs, the time off work, the procedure itself.
My youngest bro is having major surgery on Tuesday-bypass surgery to correct all his clogged vessels. This is only 2 years after having 7 stents put in. Both need to totally change their life styles-no smoking, being the #1 change. I'm praying for them both. Their lives are precious to me, and I love them both. That's three of us having heart problems this year.

Despite the bad news, it was a wonderful Thanksgiving for me. Earl and I spent time, helping our community, being able to provide a meal to our neighbors, celebrating the day with Mass and Eucharist, enjoying a meal with Earl's brother, and wife, bringing communion to a hospice patient, and fixing a dinner for our daughters, and grandchildren. Life can change so quickly. I am ever grateful for each moment I am given. May God bless us all with his grace and peace.