Fire

The general rule of thumb for youth group at my Unitarian Universalist church is that everything is better when you can light it on fire.

Today, we wrote what we are thankful for on index cards. My list went something like this.

• I am thankful that I am literate
• I am thankful that my classes at school are challenging, even though I'd prefer it if I had a little bit less homework.
• I am thankful that I can go to school.
• I am thankful that I didn't have school today.
• I am thankful for my awesome little sister.
• I am thankful for my other awesome little sister.
• I am thankful that I can read whatever books I want.
• I am thankful for math team.
• I am thankful for my friends, of course.
• I am thankful that both of my dogs are alive.
• I am thankful that I have a really nice piano.
• I am thankful that I have more things to be thankful for than fit on this index card.

Everyone else just wrote one or two things, like "friends" or "family." After we wrote them, we went outside and stood in a circle. Zuri, who had planned the worship, went inside to get matches. Those of use left outside tried to figure out why we were burning the things we were thankful for. I mean, I get it when it's things you're angry about, but I don't want the things I'm thankful for to go away. When Zuri came back out, she explained that it was because burning things is fun, and also so that we can let the gratitude wash over us with the smoke.

Unfortunately, index cards don't make a lot of smoke, but they do smell rather nice once charred.