“I send prayers of gratitude to all
that has given of itself on this day.
The strong beans and the hardy grains,
The beautiful leafy green plants and the sweet juicy fruits.
I thank the sun that warmed and vitalized them,
just as it does me
and the earth that held and nourished them, as it does me,
and the waters that bathed and refreshed them, as they do for me.
I thank the fire that transformed them,
just as I wish to be transformed by the fires of Spirit.
I thank the hands that grew and prepared this food,
just as I thank all those that have touched me in so many ways.”
~Sedonia Cahill

We have reached a pivotal time in the life cycle of a year. Those of us who have gardens are being held in the grip of bounty. A friend said to me just the other day that she needed to head home and make something for supper that included tomatoes. Otherwise, the balance would tip and the tomatoes would overtake the human capacity to deal with them. This morning’s trip to the St. Paul Farmer’s Market was a testament to this pivotal time. The bright reds and greens of summer produce sat along-side apples and squash, a herald of the autumn abundance that is just around the corner.

And of course, the Minnesota State Fair began a few days ago. This yearly homage to all things Minnesotan is a delight to many and a necessary evil to others. But no matter your feelings about the State Fair, it is clearly an opportunity to connect with the bounty, both beautiful and bizarre, that the earth can produce. This morning when I read this prayer meant to be a table grace, I thought of my own experience of the Fair.

You see, when I attend this annual extravaganza, I am not attracted to the thrill of rides or the kitschy trinkets found along the midway. I am not even attracted by the chance to rub elbows with local celebrities or politicians. From the moment I enter the gates I am aware of all the many ways this is a place to showcase what has been brought to fruition by hard work, creativity, collaboration, innovation and a big dose of humor. This is all held together with a sense of sacrifice. Sacrifice of resources, time, and even ego on the part of the humans. Anything grown or fed from the Earth is a practice in remembering that none of us acts independently. Sacrifice of energy, rain, soil, nutrients on the part of Creation, provide gifts which are less easy to find a listening ear to offer our gratitude.

When I see row upon row of prize-winning vegetables, the enormous pumpkins, the deep purple eggplants, the perfectly formed green beans, I am moved nearly to tears by the notion of all that went into their being present before my eyes. Gazing on all the handmade pies, cakes, canned goods, and artwork, I am overwhelmed by all the hands that have offered their work for my inspiration and enjoyment. Watching the young people show their animals….sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, horses…..I think of the countless hours logged to raise these creatures who have been nurtured since birth by hopeful hands and loving hearts. No doubt much human energy and care has been poured into seeing this animal walk into a pen,far from home, to be judged by people who are knowledgable in ways that is beyond my comprehension.

Visiting the State Fair provides a wide angle lens to what is the microscopic lens with which we usually live our daily lives. The lens shows us that we are……Intricately woven together with others we will never meet. Sustained by forces we cannot see or understand. At home in a Universe that demands our dependence upon one another. Held in a dancing balance by the Spirit.

And so ‘I send prayers of gratitude to all that has given of itself this day.’ For the warming and vitalizing sun, the nourishing earth and refreshing waters,the transforming fires, I offer my thanks. May this pivotal time of year find me remembering all the hands that have tended my food and my life. May this memory be present not just for a few days at the end of the summer, but every day.

Blessed be.