Remember the day I borrowed your brand-new car and dented it?
I thought you’d kill me – but you didn’t.
And remember the time I dragged you to the beach,
and you said it would rain, and it did?
I thought you would say, “I told you so” – but you didn’t.
And remember the time I flirted with all the guys
to make you jealous – and you were?
I thought you’d leave – but you didn’t.
And remember the time I spilled blueberry pie all over
your brand-new rug?
I thought you’d drop me for sure – but you didn’t.
Yes, there are lots of things you didn’t do,
But you put up with me, and you loved me, and you protected me;
And there were so many things I wanted to make up to you when
you returned from the war –
but you didn’t.
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1) What lessons do you take away from this poem?
2) What prevents us from expressing our gratitude to those most important to us in the here and now?
3) How is gratitude a reflection and important element of tikkun olam?
Time Period: Contemporary (The Yom Kippur War until the present-day)