On Thanksgiving this year, after dinner with my family, I joined my niece at her home for dessert. As night came, some guests gathered in her backyard and had an impromptu drumming session around a glowing fire.  Later, she offered the opportunity for us to write what we were thankful for on a “gratitude lantern”.  She would then light the paper lamp and send it into the sky along with our gratitude. I wrote one word…Mira.  Ours was just the one lantern, but I found photos of when thousands were lit and set sailing.  My niece also did a similar thing to celebrate the last New Year.

Google Images:  Paper lanterns lighting up the sky

Giving thanks this year, but especially for you;
Relatives and friends join together
All bringing good will and love for each other.
Today was different than so many others,
It included you, an addition to our world.
Tiny, but here, with full-fledged awareness
Urging us listen as you learn to utter.
Delighted, we focus, hanging on each coo.
Engaged, connected, our spirits merging.
 
Let us share and pen our thanks,
Annointing our hearts with gratitude.
Night arrives, the day is done,
Tablas beat an ancient tune.
Emitting a glow as it ascends,
Reminding us of what is dear,
New grace as our light lifts to the sky.