In Thanksgiving - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

In thanksgiving, we pause, we slow ourselves
we gather together, family and friends,
reflecting, memories rich with our collective past
our shared times together, washing over us
thinking of our blessings, at harvest, in thanksgiving

Our provision, day by day, our health, our family,
our friends, our nation, this world, troubled as it is
So much for which to be thankful, so many gifts
given by our creator, our savior, our savior,
our sustainer, our God

Like the first Thanksgiving, gathered together
around a table of your bounty, the gifts of the earth
grain and drink, meat and game, a harvest
Bowing our heads, our hearts as one,
joining in prayer, for the gifts we share

Remembering too, those who are not home
thankful for their service, for their sacrifice
those who stand in harm’s way on our behalf
thankful too for those on guard, for all who serve us
whether in foreign fields or in fire houses down the street

For you oh God, for your presence and your love
for your grounding and your grace
we give you thanks
For all we are and all we have are gifts from you
We humbly pause, and give you thanks.

November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving Day