Thanksgiving Prayer

God ev'ry year about this time, according to routine, I've bowed my head in the accepted way and offered thanks, like some well synchronized machine that prayed because it was the time to pray. But, God, this year is different, this year I seem to feel America's Thanksgiving is my own, that in my nation's gratitude I have a part that's real, a part that until now I've never known. And, God, this year a deep humility has filled my heart, a newborn pride rings true through out my soul because I do belong, because I have and am a part, a tiny part of one tremendous whole.  I think I know the feeling of those first Americans who said, "We must give thanks for this, our land." I cherish now the rights that are each woman's, ev'ry man's, the rights I've just begun to understand. This year my heart has learned what all Thanksgiving Days are for, true thankfulness at last I realize, but, God, I'm sorry that it took the tragedy of war in other lands and strife in ours to open up my eyes. Again I bow my head but this time deep within me stirs a mighty prayer, part of one vast design, "God, help me make America as proud that I am hers- as I am proud, and grateful she is mine!
              Written by  Kathryn Kay in "If the Shoe Fits"  Nov. 1941

Happy Thanksgiving, may you be surrounded by your loving family and may God Bless You all...

                                       Al and Doris