Everyone's asking:
"What are you doing for Thanksgiving?"
And of course what they mean is,
"Where are you going? Who will you be with?"
That's got me thinking about and remembering
all the places I've celebrated Thanksgiving
and the people I've shared that day with...
Where have I gone for Thanksgiving?
Hobart Street in Danvers
Weeks Road in Danvers
Stedman Street in Chelmsford
Moreau Seminary at Notre Dame
ODell Avenue in Beverly
Bertram Street in Beverly
Monument Square in Concord
Main Street in Concord
Hillside Avenue in Concord
Longfellow Road in Lexington
Park Street in Norfolk
Channing Road in Concord
(Readers: where have YOU celebrated Thanksgiving?)
Just those street names bring to mind and heart
the love and faces of family and friends,
many now long gone,
with whom I've shared Thanksgiving Day...
Many will gather on Thursday, Lord,
embraced by loved ones from near and far...
But some this year will have no place to go
and some will be where they'd rather not be...
Some will be close to family and friends
and some far away from hearth and home...
Some will be gathered with friends just met
or with in-laws now that the knot's been tied...
Some will need, for the very first time,
to face a familiar but empty chair...
Teach us, Lord, to always make room
for one more guest at our table
in our dining rooms and kitchens,
in church and in our hearts,
room for one more guest
- for that guest is always you...
Wherever we are, with whomever may join us,
open our hearts in gratitude, Lord,
for your grace, your gifts and your faithful love
at the table of mercy where you have reserved
a seat for each of us, gathered together,
in praise and thanks and peace...
Protect us, Lord while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
At Your Table by Jared Anderson
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