How long will it last?

How long will it last?  That is the question I asked the dentist today when we talked about a dental care option.  How long will it last?  People, including myself, have asked this when the street in front of their home is torn up, when they are experiencing cold symptoms, when their toddler throws another tantrum, when they're buying new tires, etc.

I've also wondered "how long will it last?" with new technology.  (Yes, you've heard this theme before.)  It seems like the minute I purchase a new phone, television, computer, fill-in-the-blank, someone comes out with a new and improved model - maybe even for less money.  The question in these instances perhaps should be "how short will it last?"

Then I come to gratitude, "Thank you for however long or short this is lasting."

• Thank you for my car which has provided me with dependable transportation for almost 11 years.
• Thank you for my spiritual mentor who has been a blessing to me for over 5 years.
• Thank you being taught to read at about age 5, a skill that continues to enrich my life after 55 years.
• Thank you for my Portland apartment which has been my home base for 1 year.
• Thank you for the reliable service my computer has given me for nearly 6 years with the help of my extraordinary computer tech.
• Thank you for the love I felt in the minute it took to read a card from my son.
• Thank you for the warm feeling I've felt every time I think about that card.

I guess I could sum up the gratitude portion with a prayer I learned as a child (50+ years ago):

Thank you for the world so sweet,

Thank you for the food we eat,

Thank you for the birds that sing,

Thank you, God, for everything.
Amen.