No, this is not an “end of days” blog post. We are too tired for all of that heavy. Perhaps you and I need a beautiful reminder of the importance of a table. Last year, we talked about the complicated history and tradition that the US has with Thanksgiving. This year, I leave you with the last part of the post, a poem that has come to mean so much to my November ritual or recipe dives and meal planning with loved ones.

Let us linger on this poem from Joy Harjo, a beloved poet with more accolades than I can name here; she is also a member of the Muscogee Nation and is a true wonder. This poem seems an appropriate prayer and message for our week, where we begin and end with a Table. May we keep learning, listening, sharing, and (most definitely) breaking bread together. And a Happy day of Thanks for God and for You. ~Laurel

Perhaps the World Ends Here 

BY JOY HARJO

The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.

The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.

We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.

It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.

At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.

Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.

This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.

Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.

We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.

At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We give thanks.

Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.

“Perhaps the World Ends Here” from The Woman Who Fell From the Sky by Joy Harjo. Copyright © 1994 by Joy Harjo. Used by permission of W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., http://www.wwnorton.com.Source: The Woman Who Fell From the Sky (W. W. Norton and Company Inc., 1994)

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Coming Up:

November 27: First Sunday of Advent + Blessing Bags!

This Sunday: Make Blessing Bags in BFG (Kids & Youth)! All are welcome to come and make Blessing Bags together for those we see in need on street corners and in our neighborhoods. Want to bring something? We always need Gallon zipper bags, granola bars, travel tissue packs, chapstick (sealed), pairs of new athletic socks, etc. Thank you!

Dec 3- Luminary Walk at Overland Park Arboretum

Join us for an evening of light and wonder on December 3 at 5:40! Pick up tickets at the Front Desk ($10/person or $20/household); hurry before we run out!