Thank you, God, for stars that glow
beyond the end of time, the sea,
the untamed flowers in the wood,
the gentle souls who walk with me,
and children who are born and grow
and learn to handle life’s demands.
Thank you, God, for end of pain,
for final ceasing of the rain,
that brought dire floods,
October’s chill and drying leaf,
the gradual release from grief,
the understanding of a friend.
Thank You, God, for sun’s great gift,
that, being, caused life to exist,
seasons’ cycles, morning mist,
and memories of time far past,
who precious hours could not last,
but gave reason to be living.
and human gratitude expressed
each autumn in Thanksgiving.
Ms. Margaret Stavely Payne
Service Art:
Image 1: Image by Lawrence OP, made available on Creative Commons
Image 2: Thanksgiving Sunset - by Chris Sorge - Creative Commons