Lord, you know that 43 years ago, almost to the day, foolish men put me in the ground as a Samhain sacrifice. You saw as I struggled for breath, for life, even for sanity. You comforted me with your presence, your Touch upon my heart, your Love like a blanket of peace upon me. It wasn’t the first or the last time I was on the edge of death, but it was the beginning of one of the hardest years of my life — the year I was but 5 years old. Now, I look back and see how you were with me every painful month of that year. You sustained me in a way that no human, no beast, no substance or anything else could. I thank you that I have full memory of even the worst torture and the most heart-rending moments. I even thank you that I remember the terror. I do not know why it is the “norm” for people to forget, both as individuals and as a species. I do not know why you have allowed me to remember so very much. But I am grateful that you allow me to use what I remember to increase my faith, my absolute trust in you, and my willingness to keep moving forward, keep letting go of everything I might cling to or desire to have. My own past proves to me that ALL I NEED IS YOU. With your awesome Spirit to comfort and sustain me, I know that there is nothing in my future that will be too much to bear. THANK YOU for bringing me through decades of some of the worst torture and abuse and betrayal that any human can endure, and THANK YOU for using it to make me stronger, and more full of your Love and your peace, hope, and joy. Please help me to share the gifts you have given me with others around me. Cleanse me of pride and foolishness, and help me to grow more and more pleasing to you, Lord Jesus. Amen.