This is a simple blessing, everyone seems to join in while it is being said. Short, sweet, and to the point. I added this one to my sample book to show my students that sometimes your text doesn’t always have to be profound; sometimes familiarity is the best element of a piece of art.
When we said this at a meal, and everyone chimed in, I then asked everyone to tell the table when or where they learned these words. Each table seats eight people, so there were eight VERY unique stories about this blessing. Most of the stories involved a group setting as a child, where everyone remembered being very hungry. None of us could pinpoint the exact moment we learned this blessing; yet, somehow we all knew it. It was a wonderfully shared, hazy memory that made us all smile and giggle. Then of course we ate and were again thankful for our food…just like this simple, silly blessing reminds us to be.
Let me encourage you to allow yourself to be both silly and sentimental. Think back on those childhood meals where you were more hungry than you realized AND wanted the blessing to go fast so you could start eating. These were the words that were uttered to bless your meal. And when the meal was done, you were satisfied, maybe a little sleepy, and surely did not want to have to wash the dishes. What a blessing it is to enjoy the process of becoming satisfied with a meal, to enjoy the people with which you eat, and knowing that you were blessed by the labor of others who prepared your food. Never feel strange about giving thanks for your bounty, no matter who is at the table or what words you utilize to give thanks. The most important thing, is to be thankful.
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