Saturday, August 06, 2005

Saturday, 6 August 2005 - Clean, safe water

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for clean, safe water.
Got water?
$46 billion - Amount spent per year globally on bottled water
$1.7 billion - Amount needed per year beyond current spending to provide clean drinking water to everyone on earth
More than one billion - Number of people worldwide who lack reliable access to safe drinking water
80 - Percentage of world illnesses due to water-borne diseases
(Source: The New York Times)

Although I've lived my life in drought-prone California, Arizona, Texas and Colorado, I still take this precious life-giving and life-sustaining resource for granted every day. I should but don't give thanks each time I drink another glassful, boil a potful to cook the pasta, water the plants, clean fruits and vegetables, run the garbage disposal, take a shower, wash the dishes, brush my teeth, flush the toilet, wash the laundry ... Shame on me for this transgression.

For this blessing, I am very grateful.

Amen.

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