Sacred Sisters and Stuffing

grateful

thanks, good will, fr. L. gratum, neut. of gratus agreeable, grateful. See Grate, a.] 1. Having a due sense of benefits received; kindly disposed toward one from whom a favor has been received; willing to acknowledge and repay, or give thanks for, benefits; as, a grateful heart.

A grateful mind By owing, owes not, but still pays. --Milton.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

Why is it human nature to focus on the things that bug us, more than the bountiful gifts that are ours everyday? If I could answer that I might possess the benevolence of Jesus, the wisdom of Buddha, and the knowledge of Brahma. Alas, there is no Wizard to impart simple joy or the vision of a glass half full; no magic potion for happiness of spirit (although my candied yams will suffice for at least an hour). Contentment eludes the best intentioned soul most of the time.

As schoolchildren, we are taught the story of the Pilgrims and the Indians. We draw turkeys with crude feathers created from finger outlines, and use up all our white and black crayons. (I use to give my lady Pilgrims very faint pink cheeks, much to the consternation of my teacher.) We learn about Chief Massosoit who loads up on bucks and does from his nearby deer lease and the generosity of his tribeswomen who cook and slave all day over an open fire. (Bet that pecan pie was a bitch!)

I could pause here and be philosophical with a long list, and it would comprise the usual. Most of us are very grateful to be Americans, blessed with families who are at times both precious and maddening, and assured of a full belly every night. We, as Americans, are among the world's most fortunate. Instead of the traditional list complete with cranberry sauce, I wish to share this ancient prayer of the Iroquois people and to say "Thank you" to my kind readers - and may you get the lucky break of the wishbone on Thursday:

A THANKSGIVING PRAYER FROM THE IROQUOIS (SENECA) PEOPLE

Gwa! Gwa! Gwa!
Now the time has come!
Hear us, Lord of the Sky!
We are here to speak the truth,
for you do not hear lies,
We are your children, Lord of the Sky.

Now begins the Gayant' gogwus
This sacred fire and sacred tobacco
And through this smoke
We offer our prayers
We are your children, Lord of the Sky.

Now in the beginning of all things
You provided that we inherit your creation
You said: I shall make the earth
on which people shall live
And they shall look to the earth as their mother
And they shall say, "It is she who supports us."
You said that we should always be thankful
For our earth and for each other
So it is that we are gathered here
We are your children, Lord of the Sky.

Now again the smoke rises
And again we offer prayers
You said that food should be placed beside us
And it should be ours in exchange for our labor.
You thought that ours should be a world
where green grass of many kinds should grow
You said that some should be medicines
And that one should be Ona'o
the sacred food, our sister corn
You gave to her two clinging sisters
beautiful Oa'geta, our sister beans
and bountiful Nyo'sowane, our sister squash
The three sacred sisters; they who sustain us.

This is what you thought, Lord of the Sky.
Thus did you think to provide for us
And you ordered that when the warm season comes,
That we should see the return of life
And remember you, and be thankful,
and gather here by the sacred fire.
So now again the smoke arises
We the people offer our prayers
We speak to you through the rising smoke
We are thankful, Lord of the Sky.