Notes About The Poem

Written a few years back, but still relevent to me

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My Thanks This Year

In these precarious times,
I would be most unappreciative
not to give thanks to God
for what remains of goodness in the world:
the love and support of family and friends,
the kindness of strangers,
and the bounties of the earth which always I’ve enjoyed.

Furthermore, I have deep respect for those who died
to preserve the freedoms I hold dear -
especially for those who in the most fearsome of times
and wearing their valor like a knight’s armor 
while witnessing horrors and great sorrows -
were willing to die for someone like me
who cannot even fathom a sacrifice so huge as theirs.
I thank God for the souls of such great people
who fought to keep freedom’s light burning brightly.

In these modern times I am thankful, Lord,
for the convictions of men and women
who, for righteous causes,
are willing to sacrifice their reputations
and even give up their very livelihoods
by standing up for truth
as they know it to be.

Thank you, God, for my inspiring fellow beings -
the ones who stand firm in their convictions,
and help me, please, oh God, to be
as brave as they.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Goff Avatar
March 30, 2022 at 5:47 AM
Yes, Andrea, this is quite beautiful and always timely... Congrats! jamesy
Alex Avatar
March 30, 2022 at 12:21 AM
Congratulations, again!
Watt Avatar
December 7, 2021 at 9:33 AM
Andrea, I stand with you in gratitude and admiration for those who stand strong in their convictions, regardless of the sacrifice and cost. Gratitude, especially gratitude to God, is one of the consistent themes of your writing and always resonates with me. Thank you for sharing this and congrats for your win, dear friend.
Mcintosh Avatar
December 7, 2021 at 6:32 AM
Love this beautiful friend. I love you... God bless you and I hope Thanksgiving was amazing. Love, Gina
Agustin Avatar
December 6, 2021 at 9:54 PM
Congrats! Thanks for sharing this... exposing your grateful heart. God bless you.
Alex Avatar
December 6, 2021 at 4:42 AM
Included so many matters concerning life and experience you have thanked the lord with whole heart. Congratulations for the beautiful poem.
Proxenos Avatar
November 18, 2021 at 10:44 PM
And you my friend are an incredible human being, loving caring faithful, extremely talented and a good good person, God knows you Andrea. Blessings and hugs, Jennifer
Baker Avatar
November 17, 2021 at 10:53 AM
Another enjoyable read Gina. God bless the thankfulness you express so well. It is an inspiration to me. A poet friend, Bill
Brewer Avatar
November 16, 2021 at 5:45 PM
Amen! indeed, Andrea. Well thought and said.
Buhagiar Avatar
November 15, 2021 at 11:19 PM
As I grow old, I realize I was given much and returned little. But I have learned my lesson as I see people get sick and die and I am still relatively well. So I begin the day with thanking God for He did for me. Hugs,
Rodrigues Avatar
November 15, 2021 at 3:04 PM
Amen to that! Let us be that brave!
Flood Avatar
November 15, 2021 at 2:43 PM
I’m not religious, Andrea, but that sure sounds like a very fine prayer to me and, religious or not, I can’t argue with the sentiment. A very worthy entry for the contest. Good luck. Terry
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