Because we are able to be together again

To celebrate the returning of the light

For one more year;

Because we are safe and healthy and loved;

And have food and warmth and caring

In our lives;

Because we can laugh and think and feel

And are alive and can see the world as beautiful,

Because we are unthreatened and secure;

We say thank you to Life.

 

We give thanks for our fortune of birth

In a place and time that sees us free

From poverty, conflict and tyranny;

That has enabled us to pursue our desires in peace,

That has given us freedom to follow our hearts,

Speak our minds, travel, work, study and create.

For the richness of our lives, for happy memories,

For good friends and a loving family,

We say thank you to Life.

 

We say thank you for how lucky we are

To be here, now, together.

We can never take this for granted,

For there are too many who are cold,

Without food, family and friends,

Without laughter, love or caring,

Without safety or hope.

We say thank you to Life for our good fortune.

 

Words are easy to write and say,

And I have done too little to bring light to the darkness.

We could all do more.

I just want to say that I am so grateful

For who we are

And what we have;

And that I have hope that the returning light

Will shine on everyone

As it shines on us today.

 

(Words and photo by Clinock)