GRACIOUS GRACES

SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS As Thanksgiving approaches, each of us says “thank you” in our own way, and each of us says thank you for those things that are special in our individual lives. The “blessings” listed below caught my eye in the November 1997 McCall’s magazine (p. 184) under “Traditions.” If your family does not have a special “grace” that is said before meals, please consider using one of these. As a child I remember my father always said our “grace” before "every" meal (and there was only me, my mom and my dad). And even though he seldom varied our blessing, the sincerity was always there. As we did not have relatives nearby, my mother always invited several others who were alone at thanksgiving to share our meal. Sharing became part of our family tradition. No matter how simple or how elegant your table or your chosen food is, a blessing can give us “FOOD FOR THOUGHT.” MAY ALL THE BLESSINGS OF LIFE BE YOURS - AND MAY YOU SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS WITH OTHERS - Pamela Perreault

Let us give thanks for this food And Thy blessing and benediction be upon it. May our hands so energize this food That it supplies the needs of our bodies And may we be moved to share with others What they are in need of. Sakya Monastery, Seattle, WA

May there always be work for your hands to do. May your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine upon your window pane. May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near to you - and May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. An Irish blessing

Let this food bless us, heal us, balance us, energize us, and put us in harmony with everything good in the universe. Theo Levine and Sonya Heller

Eat your bread with joy and drink with a merry heart because it is now that God favors your works. Mount St. Mary’s Abbey, Wrentham, Mass.

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous, Teach me to serve Thee as Thou deservest; To give and not to count the cost; To fight and not to heed the wounds; To toil and not to seek reward, Save that of knowing that I do Thy will, O God. St. Ignatius Loyola

May I together with all beings, enjoy the pure taste of kind mind joyful mind big mind. From the Tassajara Receipt Book, by Edward Espe Brown

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Peace in our food, Peace in our bodies, Peace in our world, Thanks, God. Amen. Rev. Barbara King, Hillside International Truth Center Atlanta, GA

May our home be made holy, O God, by Your light. May the light of love and truth shine upon us all as a blessing from You. May our table and our family be consecrated by Your Divine Presence at this meal and all our family meals. Amen. From Prayers for the Domestic Church by Edward Hays

In this food I see clearly The presence of the entire universe supporting my existence. Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh

May light and love surround us and guide us to right action. Marcia and Jack Kelly, given to their friend, Linda Moscarella

Deep peace of the shining star to you, Deep peace of the running wave to you, Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, Deep joy of the leaping fire to you, Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you. Celtic prayer from Sister Susan Hermitage, Crestone, Colo.

Food - God’s love made edible. May we be swept into Your presence. Brother Thomas, Nada Hermitage, Crestone, Colo.

O God, You are the giver of every good and perfect gift. We are aware of how easily we take and how often we grudgingly give. Give us the gift of grateful hearts, That we may want to share freely with others All You have given us. Amen. St. Paul the Apostle Monestary Palm Desert, CA

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. Ralph Waldo Emerson

May we be a channel of blessings for all that we meet. Edgar Cayce

We come to join in the banquet of love. Let it open our hearts and break down the fears that keep us from loving each other. Sung by Dominican nuns on special occasions at mealtime

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Thank you!

There are several very outstanding sites about Thanksgiving to visit. Please enjoy visiting these links. Some have stories and prayers, some have history, and some have graphics, a few of which are included herein. Most of all - please remember our history of Thanksgiving and our ancestors, share with each other, give of yourselves, and be thankful for each day of life, love, food, shelter and blessings that have graciously been provided to each of us. (And don't eat too much!) - Pam SPECIAL LINKS Charlene's Thanksgiving Page Charlene's entire site is spectacular - be sure to visit "all" of her holiday pages! Great site! Thanksgiving Resources from Bellingham Schools Great graphics and links to great Thanksgiving sites! Thanksgiving Links - All you could need! Great backgrounds by Marvelicious! Marvelous backgrounds by Marvelicious! Vegetarian Recipes Vegetarian Thanksgiving 1997 - great recipes! Thanksgiving menu (with oyster stuffing) Chef's Hall of Fame Thanksgiving on the Net Wonderful history of Thanksgiving, stories and more! A Music Index Interesting index of Thanksgiving music! America's Homepage - Plymouth, Mass. Outstanding - must see site! History, from where it all started!

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