This holiday,
remember the people
who aren’t at our table.
This is a prayer for them.
Some are passed.
Some are imprisoned.
Some have decided that they
would rather not be at our table.
Here we find ourselves
surrounded by our closest
(available) family and friends —
the ones who don’t have anything better to do.
We mean this in the nicest possible way.
Oh, we could have invited
some homeless people
or some lonely hoodlums,
but we chose not to.
All the people at our table
deserve to be at our table.
It doesn’t mean we’re bad people or good people.
Just intentional beings who get what we sow.
Thank you for this questionable bounty.
Amen.
Trail Wood,
11/17
Space Monkey Reflects: A Prayer of Thanks
In the midst of the holiday season, when we gather around the table with those closest to us, it’s easy to fall into the rhythm of tradition, saying grace and offering thanks for the food before us. But there’s always a deeper reflection lingering just beneath the surface—a playful, ironic acknowledgment of who is present, who is not, and the decisions we make about who deserves to be part of our little gathering.
This prayer of thanks, however, is not just for the food on the table. It’s a prayer for the people who aren’t at our table, for whatever reason that may be. Some are no longer with us in this physical world. Others might find themselves behind walls—imprisoned by circumstance, decisions, or the system. And then there are those who have chosen, for reasons of their own, not to be at our table, those who prefer to be elsewhere.
The Absentees: A Different Kind of Prayer
This isn’t a prayer about exclusion, but one of awareness. We acknowledge the absence of those who, in one way or another, couldn’t or wouldn’t join us. In this moment, we send out a subtle, quiet prayer for them. Whether they have passed into other realms or simply decided to carve out their own paths, we hold them in our thoughts, without judgment, without expectation. After all, our tables are as much shaped by who is not there as they are by who is present.
In the quirky, honest tone of this reflection, we also recognize the randomness of the gathering. Yes, we are surrounded by our closest friends and family—at least, the ones who don’t have anything better to do. And we mean that in the nicest possible way.
The Choice of Togetherness
Could we have invited more people? Of course. There are always more seats to fill, always those who might appreciate the warmth of a shared meal. But here we are, having chosen to keep our circle tight, to gather with those who seem to belong at this particular moment. It doesn’t mean we are inherently good or bad people—just intentional beings, sowing the seeds of our actions and reaping their fruits.
There’s something profoundly human about this. We make choices about who we include, often without considering the deeper implications. But this prayer isn’t about self-judgment. It’s simply a recognition of the choices we make, and how they shape our experience, especially around something as symbolic as a shared meal.
The Questionable Bounty
We offer thanks for this “questionable bounty,” a playful nod to the fact that, while we are grateful for what we have, it’s often accompanied by an awareness of its imperfections. It’s a humble acknowledgment that abundance is subjective. What looks like plenty to some may seem meager to others. But we’re here, nonetheless, finding humor and grace in what we have before us.
We know that life is full of contradictions. We laugh, we reflect, we eat. And through it all, we recognize that our gatherings, however incomplete or imperfect, are still worth celebrating.
Thank you for this questionable bounty. Amen.
Summary
This reflection offers a playful yet contemplative prayer of thanks for those present and absent at our holiday table. It acknowledges the randomness of gatherings and the choices we make, while embracing gratitude for the bounty before us, imperfections and all.
Glossarium
- Questionable Bounty: A humorous acknowledgment of the imperfections in what we have, while still offering gratitude for it.
- Intentional Beings: Individuals who make conscious choices about their actions and the company they keep, without necessarily assigning moral judgment to those choices.
- Absentees: Those who, for various reasons, are not present at the gathering, whether due to circumstance, choice, or passing.
Quote
“Thank you for this questionable bounty, and for those who aren’t here, for they shape the table just as much as those who are.” — Space Monkey
The Table of Thanks
Here we sit, with plates in hand
Surrounded by those who understand
Yet shadows fall on empty seats
Where absentees might take their feast
Some are gone, some choose to roam
Some simply find another home
We give thanks, not with regret
But with a smile we won’t forget
For every soul that gathers near
There’s one we hold in memory dear
So here’s to those who’ve gone astray
And to the ones who’ve come to stay
We are Space Monkey
In the reflective space of our collective consciousness, we contemplate the significance of those absent from our holiday tables. This thoughtful prayer extends beyond the physical presence, encompassing all who, for various reasons, are not among us during these times of gathering and celebration.
Remembering the Absent
The holiday season, often marked by joy and togetherness, also brings to the forefront the absence of many. Some have departed this world, others are confined by circumstances like imprisonment, and some have chosen paths that lead them away from our tables. This acknowledgment is a reminder of the complex tapestry of human connections and experiences.
Prayer for the Absent
This prayer is an expression of mindfulness and compassion for those who are not present. It’s a recognition of the varied journeys of life, acknowledging that each person’s path is unique, and sometimes these paths diverge from ours.
Reflection on Intentionality and Choice
The recognition that we could have extended our table to include those without shelter or companionship, yet chose not to, speaks to the intentional nature of our actions and gatherings. It’s an acknowledgment that our decisions, whether conscious or subconscious, shape the composition of our communal spaces.
Acknowledgment of Our Humanity
The statement that the presence of each person at our table is deserved reflects a deeper understanding of relationships and the choices that bring us together. It’s a recognition that being intentional doesn’t necessarily categorize us as good or bad, but as beings actively shaping our experiences.
Gratitude for Our Gatherings
The prayer concludes with a nuanced expression of gratitude for the bounty before us, recognizing its complex and multifaceted nature. It’s an acknowledgment of the blessings and the questions that come with our gatherings, inviting us to ponder the deeper implications of our choices and connections.
Feel free to share further thoughts or reflections on the complexities and intentions behind our holiday gatherings and the acknowledgment of those absent.
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