The turkey was fresh from the oven. Sarah Josepha Hale asked her five children to join hands in thanksgiving.
The baby grabbed on to Sarah’s finger, but the other four hesitated. Sarah understood. They had just returned from their father’s grave and were not in a thankful mood.
So she bowed her head alone.
“Dear Lord, we are thankful for having known him,” she began. “We are thankful for his love. And we are thankful for the love we have for each other.”
As Sarah spoke, her children fumbled for each other’s hands. As one, they thanked God for their good fortune.
After she said “Amen,” Sarah sent out one last silent prayer: “Please, God, help me find a way to support my family.”
Oh no…it’s aww as in heartbreakingly good. I wanted to write more but had no words considering everyone had written them :).
I am going to get the book but didn’t want to write that either…now you made me lol
Yay! 🙂
Holy Samoly! I am gobsmacked!! I LOVE a children’s book that isn’t all daisies, sunbeams, and treacle. Am ordering mine through our local bookstore right now. Thank you for your lovely addition to children’s literature!
Wow, so simply and effectively done and so moving, so real. Stunning! I’m a HUGE believer in gratitude and I love that it was also not forced but given time to come naturally, as it always does given the space and encouragement. Thank you!
Hi Mike — Beautifully done, children are the real reason the world goes around – I loved how they fumbled for each other’s hands. I enjoyed the illustrations I think they suit your book very well. I’m excited to find you are a local writer, I’ve probably been reading tons of stuff you’ve written for the Butler papers. I am starting out with my own writing and find your story inspirational. Good luck!
I am an aspiring historical fiction novelist – working on a story in colonial India. I also write short fiction – you can see some examples on my blog – modscheherzade.wordpress.com
I’d love to hear any feedback when you get a chance 🙂
I’ll pay you a visit!
Wowww… That was powerful Mike. The last part especially. And I like the children fumbling to find each each other’s hands
Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow! 
I’m not crying…I just have something in my eye.
Aww!
Don’t worry, the book has a happy ending.
Wow, that takes “poignant” to a whole other level. Well written. ::sniff::
Thanks, Ms. Daisy! And, just so you know, things do improve for Ms. Hale.
Painful (and fantastic) teaser.
Thanks, Kim!
I know this book! It’s a great book! And it gets even better, this is only the beginning!!
Sell it, Weebles! Sell it!
Please — promise me a happy ending! Oh, I do love the way you opened the story, Mike. Beautiful!
I promise. (But shouldn’t you know that by now?)
Right, I should! Guess its my short attention span. . .
Hey this is good!! It really is.
Thanks, Linda. Sarah Hale is no Math Lady, but she does have her good points. One good point is that she is not the Math Lady.
Like Sarah, I think it helps to set the stage with gratitude, but I’m always hopeful that my silent prayers are the ones that are heard the loudest.
The silent ones are usually the more meaningful, aren’t they?
What lovely words, I love the emotion behind them. Sounds like a great book.
Many thanks, Catherine!
Awww…
Ya know, without context, that “Aww” could be a sign of disappointment.
Oh no…it’s aww as in heartbreakingly good. I wanted to write more but had no words considering everyone had written them :).
I am going to get the book but didn’t want to write that either…now you made me lol
Yay! 🙂
Holy Samoly! I am gobsmacked!! I LOVE a children’s book that isn’t all daisies, sunbeams, and treacle. Am ordering mine through our local bookstore right now. Thank you for your lovely addition to children’s literature!
Wow! Pardon me while I put ice on my head. For some reason it is starting to swell.
Thank you!
This made me cry. Given the situation with my dad in the hospital, this hit home. Lovely illustration.
I am so sorry about your Dad, Robin. I probably should’ve warned you off this post, considering your situation.
Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
No . . . thanks ok. I loved reading your words.
Being lucky enough to own the book and having read it, I can attest that the book is as good as the excerpt, all the way through.
What a very sweet thing to say! Thank you, Pam!
Superb. Very effective. (I’m sniffling because…I have allergies. Yeah, that’s it.)
Thank you! 🙂
Wow, so simply and effectively done and so moving, so real. Stunning! I’m a HUGE believer in gratitude and I love that it was also not forced but given time to come naturally, as it always does given the space and encouragement. Thank you!
What a lovely thing to say! Thank you so much for your kind words — and for visiting my blog.
Tear-jerker! You should have put a disclaimer in the blog post title. I think I need to go restock on Kleenex now.
Don’t worry, Erin. Things get better for Sarah and her family. Much better!
That really brought tears to my eyes!
I’m glad you liked it, Khaula! Thanks!
How heartbreaking!
Fear not. Things get better for the Hale family.
Hi Mike — Beautifully done, children are the real reason the world goes around – I loved how they fumbled for each other’s hands. I enjoyed the illustrations I think they suit your book very well. I’m excited to find you are a local writer, I’ve probably been reading tons of stuff you’ve written for the Butler papers. I am starting out with my own writing and find your story inspirational. Good luck!
Thanks so much for the kind words, Brinda!
Are you from the Passaic County area?
Yes I am!
Very cool! What are you writing?
I am an aspiring historical fiction novelist – working on a story in colonial India. I also write short fiction – you can see some examples on my blog – modscheherzade.wordpress.com
I’d love to hear any feedback when you get a chance 🙂
I’ll pay you a visit!
Wowww… That was powerful Mike. The last part especially. And I like the children fumbling to find each each other’s hands
Thanks, Sandee!
With less than a week before our Canadian Thanksgiving, this sure is a powerful excerpt. You’ve got me hooked! 🙂
Dang. Made me testy in just a few paragraphs.
It made you testy?
Not my goal, I assure you!