NOVEMBER 6
In this month of thanksgiving, we can be thankful for the
trials of the past, the blessings of the present, and be heartily
ready at the same time to embrace with joy any troubles the
future may bring.
—DOROTHY DAYWell, maybe. Surely we are grateful for the blessings of the
present. And perhaps we have made our peace with the
trials of the past—or at least we’re working on it.
But “embrace with joy” the troubles of the future?
One of the things our knowledge of sorrow and pain
teaches us is that we can survive. Not only survive, but in
the experience we are made stronger—so that the next time
sorrow and pain come our way, maybe we can greet them
with more courage, more confidence—even a kind of dis-
tilled joy that as sharers in the human community, we can
make it through.
When we are in the grip of fresh grief, our response is
probably, Who cares? This kind of wisdom is bought at too
high a price. We don’t want it. We can’t imagine ever being
thankful—for this?
Not for this—no. But perhaps we can look to the time
when the survival strengths we gain will stand us in good
stead.
I am grateful for the blessings of the present. As to the future—I’ll
wait and see.