Thursday, January 28, 2010 I have received many emails in response to my last newsletter regarding the blessing of food and mealtimes.
Carla Dalton, from Labrador, Qld wrote to me the following email:

"I thought I would mention to you that my little family recently started saying a 'grace' of sorts before our evening meal. We decided that we wanted to include something to help our children (aged 1 & 4) learn to appreciate their food and the mealtime, but not being religious, we didn't want to say a traditional grace. We decided to say "thank you to the farmers for growing our food, thank you to mummy (or occasionally daddy) for cooking our food and thank you to everyone for eating it!". After reading your newsletter, we have decided to also hold hands to make the family circle and add to the ritual."

I was really touched to read Carla's story about her family. It is such a gift to our children to have that time together, holding hands... and starting this ritual early in their lives.

Having grown children, I encourage families to hold hands as often as possible.

With the grace, I suggested to Carla that she may wish to thank every member of the family for the gifts they bring.... mummy and daddy for the work they do to support the family, thank the children for the joy they bring...

Expressing gratitude for all that happens is a great way to open hearts (even in the most difficult of times).

Lots of love and thanks to Carla for sharing her story.