Thanksgiving

 I am grateful for:

• the memory of picnics by the ocean, and  Mom’s tuna salad sandwiches with tomatoes,
• the way my car starts up so quietly and reliably, day after day,
• the trees that turn our parking lot into a forest,
• the cinnamon and cardamom and cloves in chai tea, and for tea’s warm comfort,
• ministers who show up so faithfully to greet, to read, to share the Lord in the Eucharist,
• lectors and Eucharistic ministers,
• the path along the Arroyo Calleguas, and for long walks,
• the Santa Monica Mountains, and for the wildflowers that grow there,
• warm hugs on cold mornings,
• visitors who don’t know me but are willing to smile anyway,
• the sight of tried and true parishioners making their way into the church,
• the sound of the Our Father, chanted with devotion and affection, and the sight of our community with hands joined all-round the altar,
• the warmth of flannel, the softness of cotton, and the comfort of denim,
• wine with friends, food with friends, and friends,
• squint-free sunglasses,
• Chopin’s Nocturne B-Moll, op. 9/1,
• sushi, Chinese food, Mexican food, in fact, all the foods,
• the bright rainbows that form on cut crystal,​​

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• the shadows of trees bending in the wind,
• the ripple of light on the ocean,
• the thought of Christmas trees and ornaments, the lights, and carols,
• long conversations into the night over things that matter,
• the humility and beauty of what happens in the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
• the dark chocolate Dove squares that Pam leaves out, salty snacks, and cheese – oh yes, and cheese!
• Sunday comics,
• that moment when my work is done for the day,
• a good book in a comfy chair,
• the many nights I fall asleep quickly,
• eyesight,
• that shade of green that happens when sunlight passes through leaves,
• cooking podcasts and new recipes,
• leisurely time with a newspaper,
•  every parent who tries to share their love and devotion for God with their children,
• the sound of rainfall,
• most every song by Simon and Garfunkel,
• the kindness of strangers,
• the surprisingly large number of times when people around me drive respectfully and well,
• good walking shoes,
• the many, many volunteers that make our parish so special,
• and, as always, for rocky road ice cream, and for everything it stands for!

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Can we ever be grateful enough? I don’t think so. Please know with certainty that one of my greatest points of gratitude is for you parishioners, for your goodness, for your support. I hope you have a longer list than mine. Consider making your own list. It lifts your heart!
 
May you have a lovely Thanksgiving, free of political discord, and full of affection, good food, and gratitude to the Lord, who makes all things possible.
 
Siempre adelante!
 
Fr. Patrick

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