I had always struggled with whether to pray before dinner. I wanted a way to say thanks for the food and acknowledge Ms. Earth’s contribution to our meal without bringing capital R Religion into it.
Something a little more than,
“Rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub.”
And something a little less than,
“And these thy gifts from thy bounty…”
As these things happen, we found our groove naturally.
Every night before dinner, we hold hands around the table, the oldest, the youngest (well, sometimes the youngest, James and I. We list the people we’re thankful for.
The oldest usually adds herself a few times.
(I’d add her a few times too.)
I’ve been on the lookout though, for non-religious-pre-dinner thank you’s that bring in the food, the animals, the vegetables and the community we’re going to share and I’m coming up short.
All the pre-meal graces seem to be very religious.
And that doesn’t quite meet my needs.
It doesn’t make it any easier that to help all our guests feel more comfortable, I
we do this one sometimes, which i really like:
earth who gives to us this food
sun who makes it ripe and good
sun above and earth below
our loving thanks to you we show
blessings on our meal
This was the one we did at my house when I was a kid:
Oh, the Earth is good to me
And so I thank the Earth
For giving me the things I need;
The Sun and the Rain and the Appleseed.
The Earth is good to me.
Amen.
Love it! We’ll add it to our list for sure.
I always loved the Johnny Appleseed song that Katherine mentions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJb83gM2Vpo
Here’s one that I sort of sing with my neices and nephews…
Thank you for this food, this food.
This glorious, glorious food!
And the animals, and the vegetables, and the minerals…that make it possible. Whoo!
It’ cute, and they love it!
My great-uncle had a fun and funny one that I wish I could remember. Let me see if I can find a family member who has it in their noggin.
Mostly my husband and I thank each other – no matter who cooked or shopped – because both of us put it there.
good one, HJ. i love the sentiment and the careful thought. i’m grateful for the hearnseseses!
thank you for the food we eat.
thank you for the children sweet.
thank you for the clothes we wear.
thank you for the nice, fresh air.
Aaa-men! (optional yo ho ho)
-Jack and Jill Pre-School circa 1979, oldie but goodie :0
Just had to tell you how nice it is to having you writing again.
Your grace is lovely.
Same as the one listed by Mary Beth above except, the last two sentences (as told by my kids) are
Thank you Earth for everything
Bon Apetit, You may eat. (this is particularly cute as it is our little one–channeling Julia Child–saying it in all earnestness a 3-yr old can muster).
[...] had this issue before, as I thought about saying grace. I don’t want my gratitude to be capital R Religion. I also want it to be special for [...]