A few weeks ago, I went to a dinner at my church where they were honoring members who have made a difference in our parish community. One of the honorees was Sister Ann Sweeny who passed away this year after a long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She had written a poem thanking all who had touched her life. I did not know this great lady that well. I always said "hello" and "how are you" in church. But this poem touched me deeply and I think it is perfect to share on Thanksgiving Day. Remember as you read, that these are the words of a woman who knows she is dying. I hope this inspires everyone to always walk in thanksgiving and joy.
I WALK IN THANKSGIVING...
for friendship and insight and the gift of prayer...
for windy nights and sunlit waves...
for the splendor of Autumn on rocky peaks,
gold on green and flame against blue,
for music and balloons and the song of the world...
for the intensity of life, for challenge and delight...AND
BECAUSE I WALK IN THANKSGIVING, I WALK IN JOY.
I WALK IN THANKSGIVING...
for life that comes not as a whole but in pieces called people,
for tenderness and strength, for gentleness and warmth,
for weakness and pain, for anguish and ambiguity,
for laughter and courage and the gift of friends,
for the risk of life and the risk of God...AND
BECAUSE I WALK IN THANKSGIVING, I WALK IN JOY.
I WALK IN THANKSGIVING...
for faith and hope and joy and love and YOU,
and because I walk in Thanksgiving, I walk with God
because I have been allowed to walk with all of you,
in what I call a search...
a search for fulfillment, dedication and
giving to me that will pen the
GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD....
My love and gratitude to you.
Ann Sweeny, O.P.
