Sometimes it takes a child to show us short-sighted grownups the things that matter most in life. Take the traditional Thanksgiving blessing, for instance. We grownups tend to offer thanks for such trivial things as family and friends, good jobs, love, peace, joy, etc., etc. But children have a grasp on the truly important things, like Star Wars LEGOs and the Princess and the Frog Just One Kiss Tiana Doll, which is why they are often asked to make the all-important prayer before the Thanksgiving meal.
This year the six-year-old in our family, revealing an uncharacteristic public shyness, declined to offer the thanks before the meal, and so the four-year-old plunged into the task. We re-create here her memorable Thanksgiving prayer, with a few commentaries included.
"Thank you God for everyone who came, and for the holiday..."
(whose name escapes me right now, but I know the names of lots of others)
"And for Christmas and Easter and Halloween and birthdays..."
(especially mine)
"and St. Patrick's Day, and ALL the holidays..."
(especially ones where I get presents)
"and thank you for Char...I love Char and I'm glad she's here and, um, she's my friend and I'm really glad she's here and I would be sad if she wasn't here..."
(so all these other people, including my parents and grandparents and big brother and aunt and uncle, can just go home because they are not Char)
"and thank you for the turkey and -- what else are we having, Mom? -- oh yeah, and especially the MASHED POTATOES!"
Amen.
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