Thank you, earth.

   Sunday I read Mom a children’s picture book, “Thank You Bees.”
  Through a series of paired pages illustrated with bold and bright collages that feature a happy boy, it describes a gentle universe. 
   In each pair, the first two pages state a simple fact, like “Sun gives us light.” The second two pages respond: “Thank you, sun.”

   Bees give us honey.
   Thank you, bees.

   Sheep give us wool.
   Thank you, sheep.  

   Trees give us wood.
   Thank you, trees.

   Although she said nothing while I read it with her once, during the second time through, she murmured, "Bees, give us ... honey." And smiled with weak pleasure.
   She said that phrase again another few times during the hour I was with her, and her eyes crinkled in what I am sure was, yes, pleasure.
   Everyone should read this book! It’s a powerful little book.