Today was beauteous! The epitome of a Southern summer day — hot and humid, deep blue sky, occasional clouds, enough clouds for the sun to paint a raspberry sunset on the turquoise horizon. I ate a Mrs. B biscuit perched in the swing and the cardinals joined me on the feeders for their breakfast.

I decided I’m going to write a prayer in thanksgiving for all the beauty I’ve seen in the sky and nature this week. I know I’m blessed to be enjoying this slow sunset season of my life. The Lord has graciously given me so many gifts that I’m grateful for.

Here’s my prayer —

Dear God and Father Sky and Mother Nature,

Thank you for painting the sky azure blue and for the luminous clouds that come alive on its canvas.

Thank you for the watercolors that so exquisitely color the sunsets at the twilight of day and the sunrises in the early morning awakenings.

Thank you for the warm sun that coaxes my zinnias to bloom and warms my tomatoes on the vines.

Thank you for the cooling rains and the storms that promise rainbows.

Thank you for the song birds that put joy in my heart and remind me of the man I deeply loved.

Thank you for the humming birds little engines and the loud songs of the cicadas and for the soft and harsh winds that rattle the wind chime pipes in their tintinnabulations.

Thank you for my faithful loving family and my many friends who call and drop in unexpectedly with cheerful conversations and cool whip cartons of leftovers for my supper.

Thank you for my pet Penelope and the love and comfort and occasional aggravation she gives me.

Thank you for my love of laughter and for my strong faith in your being.

Thank you for beauty and truth and hope and inspiration.

Thank you for giving me the gift of being able to express myself and the courage to bare my heart as I share my thoughts.

Thank you for keeping my world turning safely on its axis in my front porch swing in my small town sliver of heaven. — Amen