Everybody’s asking:
“What are you doing for Thanksgiving?”
And naturally what they imply is,
“The place are you going? Who will you be with?”
That is acquired me fascinated about and remembering
all of the locations I’ve celebrated Thanksgiving
and the individuals all I’ve shared that day with…
The place have I gone for Thanksgiving?
Hobart Road in Danvers
Weeks Street in Danvers
Stedman Road in Chelmsford
Moreau Seminary at Notre Dame
ODell Avenue in Beverly
Bertram Road in Beverly
Monument Sq. in Harmony
Foremost Road in Harmony
Hillside Avenue in Harmony
Longfellow Street in Lexington
Channing Street in Harmony
Simply these road names call to mind and coronary heart
the love and faces of household and mates,
many now lengthy gone,
with whom I’ve shared Thanksgiving Day…
Many will collect on Thursday, Lord,
embraced by family members from close to and much…
However some this yr may have no place to go
and a few will likely be the place they’d moderately not be…
Some will likely be near household and mates
and a few distant from fireside and residential…
Some will likely be gathered with mates simply met
or with in-laws now that the knot’s been tied…
Some will want, for the very first time,
to face a well-recognized however empty chair…
Educate us, Lord, to all the time make room
for another visitor at our desk
in our eating rooms and kitchens,
in church and in our hearts,
room for another visitor
for that visitor is all the time you…
Wherever we’re, with whomever could be a part of us,
open our hearts in gratitude, Lord,
to your grace, your presents and your devoted love
at the desk of mercy the place you’ve got reserved
a seat for every of us, gathered collectively,
in reward and thanks and peace…
Shield us, Lord whereas we’re awake
and watch over us whereas we sleep
that awake, we’d preserve watch with you
and asleep, relaxation in your peace…
Amen.
