singing gratitude

Being a "general optimist," my reactions to the current state of the world lean resolutely towards whatever there is to appreciate, whatever there is to celebrate, whatever is good.  In that spirit, today I offer some grateful words I sang to my children at bedtime, composed as a more-than-Christian variation on a hymn tune my mother sang to me.  They're intended to be both soothing and, the next morning, rousing.

There is so much to be thankful for, so many blessings to fight for.

Hymn at Bedtime

All praise to thee, bright world, this night

For all the wonders of the light.

Keep me, oh, keep me till sunrise

Beneath thy deep and endless skies.

Thanks for the trees and for the birds;

Thanks for the silence and the words;

Thanks for the blue and for the green;

Thanks for the places I have been.

Thanks for the water and the wind;

Thanks for the drum and violin;

Thanks for the honey on my bread;

Thanks for this place to lay my head.

And when tomorrow comes the day

I’ll wake and shake the dark away,

Greeting each creature of the earth

With gifts of warmth and strength and mirth.

        (c) Heidi Mordhorst 2001
 


The Thanksgiving round-up is with Carol at Carol's Corner.  I'm thankful for all of you who make this community for all of us.