Lord, on this day of Thanksgiving, please bless all creation and help us to live in a constant state of gratitude and appreciation. In a year where so many have lost so much...the safety and comfort of much loved homes, jobs, economic security and perhaps worst of all...hope, we are thankful for the love of our families and friends and realize what a gift they are to us.
We give thanks for the grace you gave us to see all of the blessings and gifts we have been given this year. So often, we hear the call to consume and spend and acquire. Thank you for the insight to reject false idols and pursue a full life ...reaching out to all we love and bringing them closer than ever before.
Thank you for those who, even in difficult times, find ways to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the imprisoned, and heal the sick. Thank you for those who struggle to grow our food and provide for our meal on this and all days. Thank you for those who spend their time and talents preparing feasts for all who are hungry in both body and spirit.
Bless all who gather together on this day. Listen to the stories we share across thousands of tables and banquets and hear our prayers and petitions. Never let us forget all we have been given and help us to remember that the world is alive with the grandeur of God.
I almost cried when I saw your prayer for Thanksgiving. It was a tradition for our family to read it at our Thanksgiving dinner every year. I can't wait to surprise everyone. We love you!! We miss you!! Hang in there!! I had no idea you had a blog. I'm sooooo happy!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been having a falling out with the notion of the "Big Guy" upstairs as of late, with thoughts of "why have you abandoned us" being the main push-away--what with the evil that has enveloped our body politic this year. But there is one 'big guy' I will never stop believing in (and no, I'm not some right winger obsessed about your ass :-). Bernie, I take solace that you will continue to bring light into this world, and I will be patient in my awaiting your return to a larger media venue where your voice for hope and sanity can ring loud and true. I miss you greatly, and have only kind and hopeful thoughts for you and your family this holiday season. I'm far away from the Bay Area now, but I remain close to you with your posts. Peace, Love, and Admiration, my friend.
ReplyDeleteAmen Bernie. Amen.
ReplyDeleteLion..I am decorating my christmas tree and on it I have placed two bits of your past. The first is a miniature wok with rice and shrimp in the pan... the second is a grocery bag full of tiny, fake food....The tree is silver with pink lights..7'5" tall..fabulous..I'm saving your items for your future. Christine Craft
ReplyDeleteBernie, you are missed and not forgotten. My best to your family. Christine, you're the kind of daughter and friend everybody needs.
ReplyDeleteBernie, another Thanksgiving has come and gone and I can't help but think of you and your gracious heartfelt service to the cause of others in need for so many years. I look forward to your future contributions. Deep thanks to you, my friend. JC.
ReplyDeleteBernie- Is it really you? I wrote you once & you kindly penned me a letter... most of it was a form letter, but it was personally penned & much more than I really expected. I wrote back but misaddressed the letter slightly (didn't follow all the rules) & I got it back from the prison about 1-1/2 months later (just after Christmas last year).
ReplyDeleteI never resent the letter because it needed a bit of updating. I also wasn't sure you would really appreciate it even though I meant well. I know you needed all the support you could get at that time so I'm sorry I didn't write again.
The letter that was returned expressed concern about you maintaining too high a profile or getting funds that others did not get... thought it might not be healthy for you. Still don't think it is the best idea but I guess you can't resist & it hasn't seemed to hurt. At least they let you out of Beaumont & you didn't get shanked. I hope you have kept up the exercise regime I heard at you were doing & I was pleased to hear some time ago that you have lost a large amount of weight. (Exercise & avoidance of the commissary was my other suggestion in the letter that I wasn't sure you would appreciate.) I'm braver about telling you these things now that I know you took the bull by the horns & took care of business yourself. We don't want to lose you forever shortly after you finally get out. (FYI, I just about lost my morbidly-obese wife this year... so the issue is a personal one to me. My wife's medical bills for the year are in the neighborhood of $2 million; fortunately we have decent insurance. She is now doing a little better.)
I hope to hear you on-air again someday, maybe on KRXA, the local Progressive station that airs Karel in the afternoon (station is owned by Hal Ginsburg & possibly a silent partner Peter B. Collins). I like the station's weekday programming more than KGO's. Hal wants to expand but doesn't have the money. Another big name in the local area... yours... (even though it is a bit tarnished)... might help Hal expand & it could be good for you too. I wish you well & hope that someday you find a way to accomplish so much good that your thought crimes & your political prosecution will be forgotten. Too bad you're not a good football quarterback!
If you haven't heard, Mickey has retired & changes are happening at KGO. This week Godtalk gets downsized to only 5 AM- 6PM (it is now a very academic show & hard for laymen to follow unless you record the show & study)... it is interesting but who has time. I'm at best an agnostic anyway (chucked my crayons at about age 12). Dr Dean's show was also moved to Friday: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Saturday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Sunday: 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM (taking some of Godtalk's time). Dr Dean responded by announcing that he will be retiring shortly. Brian is once again longer for our pleasure (a funny but surprising KGO ad that I personally wouldn't have run since he is black)... Brian now has a three hour show (only took him a decade)!
Hey Bernie..read your prayer on the radio last night..got many emails from folks who said they would now donate twice as much to thanksgiving charities...all good..need greater than ever..as you know.
ReplyDeletechristine.
Was so glad Christine read your prayer. I had not seen your blog before, I will be reading it from now on. Think of you often. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI was a steady listener.