I'm thankful for the ordinary things,
like contented cats and husband,
a home, and garden to enjoy.

I'm glad my children avoided drugs,
have grown and flourished as themselves,
and made something of themselves.

I thank the drivers who signal
what they intend to do,
and I'm very glad we all agree
to drive on the same side of the road
in the same direction!

I'm thankful that we have news reports
and some integrity in our journalists
to tell us what is truly happening.
The Chinese people still do not know
what happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
Even when the news is bitter or disgusting,
I'm glad I know. A fact can be dealt with;
ignorance is NOT bliss!

I'm thankfor for the last verse of
The Star-Spangled Banner, and
God Bless America (for surely,
no one else will do so, no matter
how many people we feed in the world!)

I'm thankful that the end of the Twentieth Century
rediscovered Mozart's music and played it.
Brahms is next, and Schubert. What wealth
of beauty awaits those who take time to listen!

I'm thankful for strawberries, not only in March and April,
but in summertime, when sweet, tangy juice
cools the brow; and grapes, not only in August,
but in blustery winter, when sweet, tangy juice
warms the heart. I'm also thankful for new ideas
in food -- kiwis and bok choi, pupusas, paella --
from around the world, and for turkeys around the year.

I'm thankful that in my life,
I've seen humble people striving for the good,
good people doing good things,
and noble people doing great things.
I'm thankful that concern for our world
is spreading, that many will rise to cure
our problems, and that the individual's efforts
still count. I'm lucky to be an American, now!.

Ursula T. Gibson, © 1999

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