Want to give my own "prayer" at Thanksgiving

[CathyA]

Sometimes little things bother me alot and give me angst. I've been wanting to say my own "prayer" of thanks at our big extended family get-together, but it stresses me, so I don't........then I feel like a wimp.
I have very similar views of things as the native American's did. I give thanks to the earth, and the spirit of the animals that I eat, and appreciate what the earth gives us. I'm not a christian and don't believe in my extended family's god.
It drives me nuts when the only prayer on Thanksgiving anyone can think of is "Our Father who art in heaven.....". Where's the the thanks in that?? Everybody stands there, repeating these words rotely and it drives me crazy.

I know its only important for me to know what I am thankful for, but its become sort of a challenge in my own mind, to let others know what I think. Then again.....its stressful for me (and it shouldn't be).
Just a bit of a rant/whine............

[Charity]

How big is your extended family? If it's not huge, maybe you could suggest that everyone express something they're thankful for as a replacement for the status quo. That way you will get to express your thoughts without it seeming like you're the only fish swimming upstream. I'll bet more than just you is bored with simply repeating the Lord's Prayer. It might be a refreshing change for some of them.

[Anne Lee]

Quite frankly, it doesn't sound as if the extended family is particularly devout if the only prayer they can think of is The Lord's Prayer.

Who is the host of the event? Maybe touch base with that person and offer Charity's suggestion.

[ctg492]

I understand. I do not really have any offering of help other then to say your prayer silently while they say theirs? Or do what I did as I have the opposite problem. My family has never said a prayer, a "we are thankful for"...nothing, just dive in to the food. SO a few years ago I started announcing why I was thankfull this year, as they were all getting ready to grab the food. No one really stopped the diving in for food, no one stopped me, just a Oh that was nice of you. I felt good and no harm was done.

[razz]

Why don't you simply send or give each of them a simple card with your thoughts of thanksgiving including having them in your life? No stress and very simple and direct.

[Tradd]

Do you have a seasonal piece of poetry that might work?

[jp1]

Charity, I personally really like your idea, although I imagine Cathy's stress and "wimpishness" is probably based in reality that it won't be especially well received. After all, presumably she knows these people well enough to make that guess. (although wouldn't it be nice if they proved her wrong.)

Your idea reminds me of the birthday party I went to of the sister of one of my best friends from college at his parents' house 25 years ago. The family had a tradition where, instead of physical presents, at the birthday dinner each person at the table would give the birthday person one "wish" for their future. At first I was a bit at a loss for what to wish, since I had just met my friend's sister an hour earlier. However, after sitting through dinner and listening to the discussion it was obvious that the family and close family friends who were there were all quite loving and cared a great deal about each other, so when it was my turn to offer my wish I simply said "I wish that all through your life you are surrounded by people who care about you as much as everyone at this table obviously does."

[puglogic]

How big is your extended family? If it's not huge, maybe you could suggest that everyone express something they're thankful for as a replacement for the status quo. That way you will get to express your thoughts without it seeming like you're the only fish swimming upstream. I'll bet more than just you is bored with simply repeating the Lord's Prayer. It might be a refreshing change for some of them.

I love this idea. Even if everyone just expressed one gratitude, what a rich experience it might be.

[CathyA]

Thanks everyone.
ctg492.....I got a chuckle at your story. I imagined all your relatives diving into the food and you trying to give thanks. I pictured them stopping for a second, looking at you and then having a "whatever...." look, and going back to the food. It must have seemed rather comical/strange to you. But you gave thanks, and that was good!
Thanks again everyone, for all your suggestions.

[CathyA]

Well, I gave my prayer of thanks and it all went well. Except I was extremely nervous and right after it was over, I got a horrible sudden headache. Thought I was having a stroke! But I thought to myself "well, at least if I'm dying, I got my thoughts out".
It went away within about 15 minutes, then came back that evening, and I had it all day yesterday and today. I hope it isn't a slow bleed. ;)
Maybe its my body/brain trying to tell me to keep my philosophical beliefs to myself. haha

[Fawn]

Well, I gave my prayer of thanks and it all went well. Except I was extremely nervous and right after it was over, I got a horrible sudden headache. Thought I was having a stroke! But I thought to myself "well, at least if I'm dying, I got my thoughts out".
It went away within about 15 minutes, then came back that evening, and I had it all day yesterday and today. I hope it isn't a slow bleed. ;)
Maybe its my body/brain trying to tell me to keep my philosophical beliefs to myself. haha

Or maybe it is your body trying to tell you not to hold everything in so tight....?

[Charity]

I think that's awesome! The prayer....not the headache. Good for you.

[CathyA]

Thanks Fawn and Charity,
I'm just thankful I didn't stroke out! lol!
I have to say, it was better received than I thought it would be.

[AmeliaJane]

I would have been grateful for a lovely prayer of Thanksgiving like yours. We got an endless reading on the joys of children, never mind that the majority of adults at the table were either childless (not all by choice) or with a history of infertility issues...