Very early in the morning of November 2nd of this year, the Feast of All Souls, I spent some quiet time in prayer for all of those who have died. Each year on that feast day, I try to find some time to pray for all of my relatives and friends who have passed away. The bulk of my time in prayer is spent in thanking God for each of the people I am remembering.

 This year, as I was praying, an article I read a few months ago came back to me. I remember the article because I found it very comforting as I thought of the many people who have died over the years.

 The article was written by the widow of Fred Rogers. You would probably better remember her husband by his TV name - Mister Rogers. In her article, Joanne Rogers had written about some of the things that she treasures, especially since her husband's death. One of those "treasures" is what came back to me in my prayer

 This is how she described it,

 "One of my treasures is a photo of a sunset that Fred sent to me,  with words from one of his songs on a little note that he put on the  back of the picture. Fred had taken the picture himself when he was in Nantucket without me for a bit. He loved to take pictures. That photo and those few words he had put on the back have carried me through  a lot these days. In fact I have framed that photo and put his words on  a little note in front. I'm still being nourished by his words. That picture and  its words are a real treasure"

The words that Fred Rogers had penned on the back of that photo for his wife were these:

"When the day turns into night,

And you're way beyond my sight,

I think of you."

Aren't those beautifully comforting words? I'm sure that Joanne Rogers finds great solace in knowing that Fred is thinking about her.

One thought that struck me as I recalled those words is the depth of healing that we can receive from others through their thoughtfully kind words. Those words have the power to change us. Or, as Joanne Rogers put it, " I'm still being nourished by his words."

 Words of comfort are certainly a great gift, a gift that we may overlook. Perhaps this week as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day by eating a nourishing meal with our families, we might take a few moments to consider how our friends and family members have, over the years, offered us words that still nourish. Perhaps this would be a good time to give thanks both for the words and for and to those who offered them. Where would we be without nourishing words of comfort spoken in love?