Today before sunrise I woke up in a sturdy bed, under cozy covers, and on a firm mattress. None of which I had made.
I got out of bed.
I flipped on the light switch by the bathroom mirror and squeezed toothpaste onto a brush. None of which I had made.
I reached for pants, shirt, socks, and shoes. None of which I had made.
I dressed.
I walked down steps across a floor into the kitchen and turned on the coffee machine. None of which I had made. Nor had I grown, cultivated, harvested, packaged, shipped, or shelved the coffee.
I sipped my coffee.
I placed a bowl and a spoon on the kitchen counter. None of which I had made.
I filled my bowl with grains, nuts, seeds, spices, and fruit. I did not grow, cultivate, harvest, package, ship, or shelve any of those ingredients.
I ate breakfast.
I put on my jacket, picked up my coffee, opened the back door, let the cat out, and stood on the deck. I heard birds chirp. I saw shadowy trees sway and morning stars wane. I watched the sun rise over South Mountain and shine through the woods wherein stood a cautious deer. None of which I had made.
I turned away.
I had a blog to write.
I went to my office, sat down at my desk, turned on my computer and some classical music. I stared at a blank page. I scratched my head for a subject. Nothing.
Well, what about Thanksgiving?
What about it? It’s contrived, isn’t it? It’s like my mother often said: if you’re not mindful of me on other days, don’t call me on Mother’s Day. (She could be sassy!)
If you’re not mindful of me!
Suddenly I saw what I had missed at every turn this morning. I had gotten out of bed, but I had not awakened.
I will never meet all those—in heaven or on earth—who made my life so rich this morning. But If I could, I would say, “Thank you.”
Meister Eckhart said: If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is “thank you,” it will be enough.
I suppose if we were mindful all day every day, that’s the only prayer we’d have time for.
The world is full of grace.
It’s hard to miss it.
But we do.
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See Paula’s “Sunrise on Bear’s Rocks, Dolly Sods” photograph on the home page.