Gratitude

Look at the birds of the air... Consider the lilies  - Jesus

"If the only prayer you ever prayed was 'thank you,'" sang out Meister Eckhart, "that would suffice."             

What if it all boils down to that? What if when you shuffle off this mortal coil... when the fat lady has finally sung... when you go permanently offline... when you become the worm banquet... what if at that time, when you're floating around in Spirit World trying to figure out what the hell just happened, what if God shows up, looks you straight in the face and says, "I just want to know one thing: Were you grateful?"                  

And what if that's finally what it all boils down to? What if gratitude is the springboard for all good stuff that happens in this life? Gratitude, the bee that fertilizes the blossoms of goodness.   All acts of love, forgiveness, compassion, generosity, joy and peace - what if they are all somehow spurred, sparked, sprouted and spiked by gratitude?            

The argument could be made that Thanksgiving is the holiest day on the year. It's the one time when friends and families are brought together simply to say, "Thank you." No gifts. No obligation. No flashy lights. No displays at the mall. No religious differences.  Just a day to simply and humbly accept the gifts that have been given to us. To say a prayer or sing a song or hug a seldom seen loved one.  It's a day and tradition which never fails to bless. 

Howard is up to his bald head in gratitude this year. His daughters, Kelsey and Windsor, along with Windsor's husband, Alex and baby (aka grandbaby) Ellie are in Asheville for Thanksgiving.  Howard's LadyLove, Joyell, is thrilled with her new position at The Farm in Tennessee and Jubilee!'s wonder-woman, Delia Bailey, is again hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at Jubilee! for anyone who doesn't have a place to go.  Delia fed over 130 people last year.  So may things to be grateful for; so little time.  Howard wishes deep joy to you on this Thanksgiving Day.