I was visiting a grade school, as is my wont, on the general theory that these are the beings who are going to own the world pretty soon and I want to stay on their good side. And as a salty, testy, thankful older man, it’s my duty and joy to try to connect to as many kids as possible and remind them that we are inundated by the profligate generosity of the Maker. Maybe we all don’t celebrate that quite enough, being also inundated by worries and bills and car troubles and back pain.

In this classroom I was blathering on and on about the sea of miracles, and a girl—it’s always girls who ask the piercing questions—raised her hand and said, “Yes, sir, but have you personally experienced miracles? Or is this just a lecture?”

There was a long pause, and I said with dawning wonder, “Oh, child, yes, oh, dear Lord, yes, yes, yes. I have seen bears the size of cars. I have heard whales moaning in dark oceans. I have had a child say, ‘I love you more than I could ever figure out words for my love, Dad.’ I have been graced by burly brothers. I have had sicknesses that looked to be the cause of gravestone engravings but here I am, cheerfully mumbling in your classroom. Here I am and that is a miracle beyond accounting, and here you are and that is an even cooler miracle, because you are young and strong and possible in ways that I am not anymore. Yes, my young friend, I have seen miracles. Every moment of every day. Every breath. Yes. Any other questions?”

Dear Lord, it’s an utterly confusing gift You have given us, crammed with pain and joy; but what a gift! The greatest that ever was! We are alive!