A blessing I wrote for Easter 2006 that I never said at the table.

I'd like to give blessing; not just to this food and this day, but to each of the people in this room. It's been a rough few months. We've struggle collectively and individually, but we sit together today and are humbled by the opportunity to do so.

We've celebrated promotions, graduations. We've shared disappoints and lost jobs, moreover; we've lost parents, grandparents, godparents, and friends. Meaningful souls-- some of them brought us into creation, all of whom brought us into being. People who taught us love, showed us how to care enough to fight, and to gracefully pass through the veil. We've been torn and heart broken, and yet we have come together today in thanks.

When we're looking back years from now, the highlights will be our focus. However, true growth, true personal evolution never comes without remarkable and at times sometimes seemingly unmitigating pain. As Ann Lamott points out, "This is life's nature; that lives and hearts get broken." But today we follow something brighter than pain. Today, as we break bread- we lean back on one another and give thanks, that we've come so far-- and have the honor of wandering farther together.

Amen.

On your birthday...

My relationship with you is like watching someone walk away for a long time.