Most gracious and Heavenly Father, hear, we beseech Thee, these humble words of thanks for Thy bountiful and loving care. We thank Thee that in Thy wisdom and tolerence we have been granted another year of happiness together. We ask Thy blessing for those leaders among us who seek peace. We ask for an end to the suffering and misery of thousands caused by the ravages of war. Help us, Oh Lord to keep the warm memories of our departed loved ones until the time when we will join them in Thy presence. We ask that in Thy infinite mercy those who are ill might soon be restored to health. We thank Thee for the many days of Thanksgiving in the past we have shared together and ask Thy guidance and protection through whatever is to come to us in the future. Amen.

Composed and written for a Thanksgiving Day with friends several years before his death by Blanton Blankenship.

(This was written by a family friend - my father would read it at the table every year.)