Turkeys Need Our Love More Than Ever as Holidays Draw Near. Last year I attended a county Farm Tour of local farms that claim the oxymoronic “humane” label. As I mentioned in my prayer circle last year, the local store selling the Vesecky Farm turkeys referred to their lives at Vesecky as “social justice for turkeys.” The truth, of course, is just the opposite. The farmer buys newly hatched turkeys through the mail each spring. Some arrive dead. None have ever seen their suffering mothers or fathers. I asked the farmer, “Does it make you sad to know they are going to be killed.” “No,” he chuckled, “That’s when I get paid.” So much for “social justice.” On a brighter note, however, I recently discovered that a “game bird” salesman was shutting down his business of raising turkeys, quails, and pheasants for hunters to buy and shoot. We were able to rescue all the birds who were left. We took the pheasants and quails to a wildlife rehabilitation center last week. They will be released to freedom soon in a well-protected habitat. We will move the wild turkeys next week to the same place to be evaluated and then set free to be the true wild turkeys they have always been in their hearts. So while so many turkeys are suffering terrible pain and terror as they are sent by the millions to slaughter, there are a few who are finding freedom and blazing the trail for all turkeys to one day be free. .

Prayer for the Week for Turkeys and the People Whose Souls are Suffering: We give thanks for the children’s book ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving and for the film Free Birds. Both the book and film teach children that turkeys do not want to be sacrificed for a dinner that should be a celebration of life, not death. We hold in our hearts the knowledge that there is still time for some farmers to awaken to the violence they are inflicting on innocent turkeys. There is still time for millions of people to decide that requiring someone to die in order for them to give thanks can only lead to a great suffering of the soul There is still time for our prayers and our focused thoughts to encircle all turkeys with tender love and comfort. We long to save them all and to stop this madness driven by greed, ignorance, and unquestioned traditions. Our hearts are heavy as we feel the suffering that you are enduring, dear turkeys. Please forgive us, for we have not yet stopped the violence against you. But know this: you will not be forgotten, and your deaths will not be in vain. Our love goes with you and our voices rise up to speak for you and your children, and we will not be silenced. We will pray and act boldly until this senseless war against you is over, and you will once again live as free and joyful birds. May future Thanksgivings and holiday traditions be celebrations of Life and Love and Freedom for all beings everywhere. May Divine Wisdom, the animals’ grace, and our true hearts guide us toward ahimsa, peace, liberation, and lovingkindness for all.

As always, I send my thanks to each of you, dear Prayer Circle members, for joining this circle of compassion and shining the Light of Truth for all to see, so that one day soon, all beings will live in peace together. Our prayers for all animals continue to circle the earth, to uplift humanity’s consciousness, and to bless the animals themselves. Thank you for joining people around the world who are praying these weekly prayers as well as the Noon Prayer.

With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy Carman, and greetings from Will, Madeleine, Tara and the Circle of Compassion team

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