Thoughts Today

Right now the weather is finally cold, crisp and clear.
It feels like winter. See how blue the sky is and how
pretty the sunlight looks bouncing off the leaves.
It is the kind of weather that I love being outside.
Only I am still sick so I have been watching it from
my window. Wednesday night it might even get
down to 26 which I am pretty excited about. Fires
in the wood stove make it so cozy.

I am going to share a prayer for the Middle-Aged today
because, well, it might be easy to whine and carry on
and I think it is better to think about other things,
like other people and how I am looking forward to
seeing all of my grandchildren.

Prayer for the Middle-Aged
By a 17th-Century Nun

Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself
that I am growing old.
Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking
I must say something on every subject
and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.
Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy.
With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity
not to use it all, but Thou knowest, Lord,
that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details;
give me wings to get to the point.
Seal my lips on my aches and pains. (:))
They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is
becoming sweeter as the years go by.
I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the talks of others pains,
but help me to endure them with patience.
I dare not ask for improved memory,
but for growing humility and a lessening cock-sureness when
my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet.
I do not want to be a saint---
some of them are so hard to live with---
but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.
Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places
and talents in unexpected people.
Give me the grace to tell them so.
Amen.

I love this prayer because I see myself in every line. So with all
of my kids being here my prayer will be that they will have a lovely
time and I won't have to pontificate on every subject.

I hope that I can bake some goodies tomorrow and get my
cranberries made so they can be chilling and my salad marinating
and get some of the things out of the ways so I can just make my pies
on Wednesday morning. I really do love making pies.

I hope your day is beautiful, and I wish you the best.

~Kim~