Take nothing for granted,

     for whenever you do

The "joy of enjoying"

    is lessened for you-

For we rob our own lives

    much more than we know

When we fail to respond

     or in any way show

Our thanks for the blessing

     that daily are ours...

The warmth of the sun,

    the fragrance of flowers,

The beauty of twilight,

    the freshness of dawn,

The coolness of dew

    on a green velvet lawn,

The kind little deeds

   so thoughtfully done,

The favors of friends

    and the love that soneone

Unselfishly gives us

   in a myriad of ways,

Expecting no payment

    and no words of praise-.

Oh, great is our loss

     when we no longer find

A thankful response

    to things of this kind,

For the jof of enjoying

      and the fulness of living

Are found in the heart

   that is filled with thanksgiving.

 

        ~Helen Steiner Rice~