For naming Ceremonies, I have indexed and collated, well over 150 poems and readings,  spread over 65 pages,  in 30 or so categories, that are all in alphabetical order.

Love, Inspiration, Guidance, Joy, Blessing,
Here to inspire or to simply enjoy.

You will find beautiful poems and readings for both Religious and Secular (non-religious) Naming Ceremonies, and I add more as I find or write them.

I work with the parent’s to select optional poems or readings (which may or may not be listed), that are specific and indicative of your bundle of joy so if you have one that you like and if it is not here, please let me know so that I can add it.

Some poems are my own originals. Others have been chosen but love has a language of its own and so if you don’t find something on this page, try any of these links:

To find a reading or poem, try the index or just press CTRL F on your keyboard and search for a key word or subject.

You might also fins something on my blog, or my Facebook page, though you could always write your own, and it could go into the list;
but If you don’t find what you want here, let me know.

NB: A Copyright exemption exists in Australia for private Ceremonies but the author must always be cited and this collation holds its own copyright.

INDEX OF NAMING POEMS & READINGS

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ADVICE

A Child learns what he lives

If a child lives with criticism
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame
he learns to feel guilt.

BUT,
If a child lives with tolerance
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with fairness
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship
he learns to find love in the world.

Advice to My Child on Growing Up in Life

by Larry. S. Chengges

You are unique, my child…. a wonderful addition to life for there is no one else like you.
You are important…believe it….know it.
Search your heart and be willing to try new things….Don’t be afraid to be different… follow your feelings and be proud..…be happy.
Reflect your feelings, your hopes and your dreams…. You have much to contribute and other people can learn from you.

Take your time… and please, don’t hurry.
You must reach out and help others to grow… for the more you give, the more you receive.
Your time on earth is a measure of progress, year by year… For each year will present new and different opportunities…
Enjoy what is beautiful, my child, and try to achieve the highest goals in life… to love, to care, to give, to share.

Always Believe In Yourself

by Susan Polis Schultz

Get to know yourself –
What you can do and what you cannot do –
For only you can make your life happy.

Believe that by working, learning and achieving
You can reach your goals
And be successful.

Believe in your own creativity
As a means of expressing
Your true feelings.

Believe in appreciating life.
Be sure to have fun everyday
And to enjoy the beauty in the world.

Believe in love.
Love your friends, your family,
Yourself and your life.

Believe in your dreams
And your dreams can become reality

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BABIES

A Baby will…

By Author Unknown

A baby will make love stronger
Days shorter, Nights longer
Bankroll smaller, Clothes shabbier,
The past forgotten,
And the future worth living for.

A Baby’s Feet

by  Algernon Charles Swinburne

A baby’s feet, like sea shells pink,
Might tempt, should heaven see meet
An angel’s lips to kiss, we think,
A baby’s feet.

Like rose-hued sea flowers toward the heat
They stretch and spread and wink
Their ten soft buds that part and meet.

No flower bells that expand and shrink
Gleam half so heavenly sweet,
As shine on life’s untrodden brink
A baby’s feet.

A Mother’s Wish

By Author Unknown

I hope my child looks back on today
And sees a mother who had time to play.
There will be years for cleaning and cooking,
But children grow up when you’re not looking.
Tomorrow I’ll do all the chores you can mention
But today, my baby needs time and attention.
So settle down cobwebs; dust go to sleep,
I’m cuddling my baby, and babies don’t keep.

A Natural High

What else could bring you so much joy,
As the arrival of your baby boy!
His snuggly charms now capture you;
He’s in your thoughts in all you do.
Nothing can fill you so full of glee,
As bouncing your little boy on your knee.
His precious antics please mum and dad;
He’s a bundle of blessings, this little lad!
His boyish grin enchants everyone;
He’s just what you wanted – your boy, your son.
A baby boy is a natural high,
So have lots of fun with your little guy.

Baby’s Feet

By author unknown

Someday I’ll jump through puddles,
Take a stroll or run a race.
Someday I’ll walk across the street
Or maybe walk in space.
Someday I’ll scale a mountain
Or I’ll join the ballet corps.
Someday I’ll walk a tightrope
Or explore the ocean floor.
Someday these feet will do some things
That only heaven knows
But for today they’re happy
Just to wiggle their toes!

Being Small

By John Maguire

Sometimes I just hate being small,
When everybody else is tall,
I think the world is most unfair
With me down here and them up there.

It’s awful when a juicy peach
Is in a bowl far out of reach
Or parents have safely put away
The toys with which I want to play.

It’s terrible to have to stretch
For everything you want to fetch
While bigger people help themselves
To things from off the highest shelves.

Perhaps it might be less unfair
If they were kind of stuck up there
And had to wait till I came round
To give them things from off the ground;

But no, they can easily bend,
To fetch and carry, make and mend,
While if I want to reach that cup,
I have no way of bending up!

From the Start

By Author unknown

I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
Our life together has just begun
You’re part of me my little one.
As mother with child, each day I grew,
My mind was filled with thoughts of you.

I’d daydream of the things we’d share,
Like late-night bottles and Teddy bears.
Like first steps and skinned knees,
Like bedtime stories and ABC’s.
I thought of things you’d want to know,
Like how birds fly and flowers grow.

I thought of lessons I’d need to share,
Like standing tall and playing fair.
When I first saw your precious face,
I prayed your life be touched with grace.
I thanked the angels from above,
And promised you unending love.

Each night I lay you down to sleep,
I gently kiss your head and cheek.
I count your little fingers and toes;
I memorize your eyes and nose.
I linger at your nursery door,
Awed each day I love you more.

Through misty eyes, I dim the light,
I whisper, “I love you” every night.
I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
As mother and child our journeys begin,
My heart’s yours forever little one.

I Am Special

By Author Unknown

I am so very special
I have been from the start
Before they held me in their arms
My family held me in their hearts
And like a single drop of rain
That on still waters fall
My life and love will ripples make
And touch the lives of all
So read this precious story
As step by step I grow
I am a special blessing and a gift
As each page here will show.

New Baby Poem

By Author Unknown

The day has finally come, the pain begins to reel
You never could imagine, just how this would feel!
Then when it’s all over, and there’s finally peace
There’s this incessant crying, that doesn’t seem to cease!
In between the whining, you try to catch a wink
But once again the wailing starts, so loud you cannot think!
Here’s this precious bundle, that fills your heart with joy
Lying there so tranquilly, watch out he’s being coy!
As soon as you sit down to eat, it’s hungry he will be
And while your food grows cold and hard, he’ll be spitting peas!
Now the day’s so beautiful, you put him in his buggy
Suddenly you smell that smell, you best take stock in Huggies!
All of this is normal, but watch for what’s ahead
‘Cause it’s when he gets older, that you should fear and dread!

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 On the night you were born

by Nancy Tilman.

The moon smiled with such wonder
That the stars peeked in to see you
And the night wind whispered,
“Life will never be the same.”
Because there had never been anyone like you…ever in the world.
So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain
That they whispered the sound of your wonderful name.
It sailed through the farmland
High on the breeze…
Over the ocean…
And through the trees…
Until everyone heard it
And everyone knew
Of the one and only ever you.
Not once had there been such eyes,
Such a nose,
Such silly, wiggly, wonderful toes.
When the polar bears heard,
They danced until dawn.
From faraway places,
The geese flew home.
The moon stayed up until
Morning next day.
And none of the ladybugs flew away.
So whenever you doubt just how special you are
And you wonder who loves you, how much and how far,
Listen for geese honking high in the sky.
(They’re singing a song to remember you by.)
Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo.
(It’s because they’ve been dancing all night for you!)
Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind.
(Listen closely…it’s whispering your name again!)
If the moon stays up until morning one day,
Or a ladybug lands and decides to stay,
Or a little bird sits at your window awhile,
It’s because they’re all hoping to see you smile…
For never before in story or rhyme
(not even once upon a time)
Has the world ever known a you, my friend,
And it never will, not ever again…
Heaven blew every trumpet
And played every horn
On the wonderful, marvellous
Night you were born.”

Through Baby’s Eyes

By Author Unknown

I didn’t expect a brass band,
With welcome mat unfurled.
To be on hand when I arrived,
In this confusing world.
Nor did I expect a doctor;
To hold me by the feet,
Then quickly turn me upside down,
And spank me on the seat.
At first I wasn’t quite prepared,
For this enormous place,
Nor for the funny characters,
That I would have to face.
But soon I learned to get my way,
By looking sweet and shy,
And when I wanted to be held,
To make a fuss and cry.
I’ve found it really doesn’t take,
Much difficulty or guile.
To wrap them round my finger;
All I need to do is smile.

You are the Poem

Author unknown

You are the poem
I dreamed of writing,
The masterpiece
I longed to paint.
You are the shining star
I reached for in my ever-hopeful quest
For life fulfilled…
You are my child.
Now with all things
I am blessed.

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BIBLICAL QUOTES & PASSAGES

A list below but see also:

1 Kings 9:4

May my son walk before You, God, as King David walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that You have commanded him, and keeping Your statutes and rules .

1 Timothy 4:12

Like Timothy, may my son be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

Deuteronomy 13:4

May my son walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. May he serve You and hold fast to You.

Deuteronomy 31:6

May my son be strong and courageous and not fear or be in dread, for it is You, Lord, our God, who goes with him. You will never leave him or forsake him.

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 Celtic Blessing

May the strength of the wind and the light of the sun,
The softness of the rain and the mystery of the moon
Reach you and fill you.
May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fulfil you and love surround you.
May your step be steady and your arm be strong,
May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live,
May you live to love, and may you love – always

Corinthians – 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong
or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all
knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I
give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain
nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is
not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in
evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always
perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they
will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy
in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a
child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways
behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now
I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Psalm 51:10

Create in my son a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within him.

Psalm 100

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.

Store my commands in your heart, for they will give you a long and satisfying life.

Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart.

Then you will find favour with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

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(photo by www.poihakenaportraits.com)

 BIRTH

On the night you were born

by Nancy Tilman.

The moon smiled with such wonder
That the stars peeked in to see you
And the night wind whispered,
“Life will never be the same.”
Because there had never been anyone like you…ever in the world.
So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain
That they whispered the sound of your wonderful name.
It sailed through the farmland
High on the breeze…
Over the ocean…
And through the trees…
Until everyone heard it
And everyone knew
Of the one and only ever you.
Not once had there been such eyes,
Such a nose,
Such silly, wiggly, wonderful toes.
When the polar bears heard,
They danced until dawn.
From faraway places,
The geese flew home.
The moon stayed up until
Morning next day.
And none of the ladybugs flew away.
So whenever you doubt just how special you are
And you wonder who loves you, how much and how far,
Listen for geese honking high in the sky.
(They’re singing a song to remember you by.)
Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo.
(It’s because they’ve been dancing all night for you!)
Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind.
(Listen closely…it’s whispering your name again!)
If the moon stays up until morning one day,
Or a ladybug lands and decides to stay,
Or a little bird sits at your window awhile,
It’s because they’re all hoping to see you smile…
For never before in story or rhyme
(not even once upon a time)
Has the world ever known a you, my friend,
And it never will, not ever again…
Heaven blew every trumpet
And played every horn
On the wonderful, marvellous
Night you were born.

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BLESSING

A Child’s Blessing

may your life be blessed
with joy and love

may angels guide you
from above

may your heart be kind
your spirit strong

to see the good
and right some wrong

may the world
be a better place

because you came
and shared some space

Blessing

By Author unknown

May the strength of the wind and the light of the sun,
The softness of the rain and the mystery of the moon
Reach you and fill you.
May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fulfil you and love surround you.
May your step be steady and your arm be strong,
May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live,
May you live to love, and may you love – always.

Blessing of Light

And to you, (Child’s name),
May the blessing of light be with you always,
Light without and light within.
May the sun shine upon you and warm your heart
Until it grows like a great fire,
So that others may feel the warmth of it.
And may the light of your eyes shine like two candle lights
In a window at night bidding the wanderer
To come in out of the dark and cold.
And may the blessing of the rain be upon you.
The sweet and tender rain, may it fall upon your spirit,
As when flowers spring up and fragrance fills the air.
And may the blessings of the great rain wash you clean and fair,
And may the storms always leave you stronger and more beautiful.
And when the rains are over may there be clear pools of water
Made beautiful by the radiance of your light,
As when a star shines beautiful in the night,
Pointing the way for all of us.
Be fearless and pure; never waver in your determination
or your dedication to the spiritual life.
Give freely, be peaceful, sincere, truthful, loving and live life with an open heart.
Be compassionate and gentle, show good will to all.

God bless you …and welcome to the world.

Blessing (Religious)

Please God…
Grant this little child Your love
As each new day appears,
Grant the parents guidance
And wisdom throughout the years
Smile down upon this christening
And in Your loving way
Let Your presence gently bless
This little one today.

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 Celebrating Life

We are glad to share the joy of these parents [PARENT] and [PARENT]

With them we wonder at the miracle of life recreating itself.

We promise to uphold them in the task of nurturing their child and dedicate ourselves to building a community in which the possibilities of their child’s life may be fully realised.

We speak their child’s name [CHILD] honouring in him/her the rights and dignities of the human person.

Forever Young

by Bob Dylon

click here to view/hear the Bob Dylon slow version on Youtube

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
My you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

For The Gift Of A Child

By Author Unknown.

For the gift of a child, [CHILD] whose innocence and laughter keep the world young, we rejoice and give thanks.

May this new life, which we have accepted into our community of ideals and friendship, receive abundantly the blessings of health, love, knowledge, and wisdom, and in her/his turn give back richly to the common heritage that endures from generation to generation.

And for the gift of parenthood made to [PARENT] and [PARENT] we also give our thanks.

May they and all parents everywhere give their children security and freedom and love, and may they be blessed with much joy, much laughter and much patience in the divine task of nurture.

Irish Baby Blessing

May all the blessings of our Lord touch your life today.
May He send His little angels to protect you on your way.
Such a miraculous gift, sent from above.
Someone so precious to cherish and love.
May sunshine and moonbeams dance over your head.
As you quietly slumber in your bed.
May good luck be with you wherever you go.
And your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.

May The Lord Bless You

(A Judeo-Christian Blessing)

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

Omaha Native American Blessing

By Author Unknown

Sun, Moon, Stars, all you that move in the heavens, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make his/her path smooth, that he/she may reach the brow of the first hill!

Winds, Clouds, Rain, Mist, all you that move in the air, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make his/her path smooth, that he/she may reach the brow of the second hill!

Hills, Valleys, Rivers, Lakes, Trees, Grasses, all you of the earth, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make his/her path smooth, that he/she may reach the brow of the third hill!

Birds, great and small, that fly in the air,
Animals, great and small, that dwell in the forest,
Insects that creep among the grasses and burrow in the ground, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make his/her path smooth, that he/she may reach the brow of the fourth hill!

All you of the heavens, all you of the air, all you of the earth, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make his/her path smooth, then shall he/she travel beyond the four hills!

Lou, Here is something that I have used as a prayer for parents to look over their kids….I have modified it a bit over the years but the principle is still the same…you can remove or add as much “God” as you need depending on the individual,. I call it a PRAYER PROMISE.

Peace be to this house

Peace be to this house
And to all who dwell in it.
Peace be to them that enter
And to them that depart.

Special Blessing

You’ve been a special blessing,
Since the day that you arrived.
Bringing so much happiness,
And filling hearts with pride…
And now that it’s your Baptism Day,
This brings a special prayer.
That God will keep you,
In the shelter of His care.

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 BOYS

Beautiful Boy

(Goodnight Sean, I’ll see you in the morning)
by John Lennon, Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing (Video/song on Youtube)

Close your eyes
Have no fear
The monster’s gone
He’s on the run and your daddy’s here

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy

Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way, it’s getting better and better

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy

Out on the ocean sailing away
I can hardly wait
To see you come of age
But I guess we’ll both just have to be patient
‘Cause it’s a long way to go
A hard row to hoe
Yes, it’s a long way to go
But in the meantime

Before you cross the street
Take my hand
Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy

Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way, it’s getting better and better

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy

Darling, darling, darling
Darling Sean

Boys…

By Author unknown

Boys are found everywhere – on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around, or jumping to.
Mothers love them,
little girls hate them,
older sisters and brothers tolerate them,
adults ignore them
and Heaven protects them.

My Baby Boy and me

By Author unknown

It’s 3 am they’re all asleep,
And no one’s here to see
as we rock slowly back and forth
My Baby Boy and me

His little head is feather light
tucked up against my chin
I hold his tiny hand in mine
and stroke his baby skin

The house about us creaks and groans
the clock hands creep around
He snuggles closer to me still
and makes his baby sounds

I love these quiet hours so much
and cherish every one
store memories up inside my heart
for lonely nights to come
All too soon he’ll be grown up
his need for Mummy gone
but until then I still have time
for kisses and for song
Time for quiet hours like this
with him cuddled in my arms
where I wish he’d always stay
protected, safe and warm

And yet I know the day will come
when this tiny little hand
will be much bigger than my own
he’ll grow to be a man

But until then he’s mine to love
with no one here to see
as we rock slowly back and forth
my Baby Boy and me

Naming Poem for Boys

Your Name

You got it from your Father
It was all he had to give
So it’s yours to cherish
As long as you may live
If you lose the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced
But a tarnish on your name, Son
Can never be erased.
It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father
There was no dishonour there
So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You’ll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your Son.

What is a boy

By Author unknown

A boy is an explorer from his early days,
Who finds fun and adventure in the most surprising ways.
He’s a builder of wooden blocks,
A Climber of trees,
A teller of jokes and stories,
With a grin that sure to please

He’s a friend of little creatures,
Like puppies, frogs and bugs,
He’s a player of almost any game,
A winner of hearts and hugs.
He’s a dreamer of great dreams,
The futures hope and joy.
He’ll bring you worlds of happiness,
That wonderful little boy.

Why God Made Little Boys

By Author unknown

God made the world out of His dreams
Of magic mountains, oceans and streams,
Prairies and plans and wooded land,
Then paused and thought “I need someone to stand
On top of mountains, to conquer the seas,
Explore the plains and climb the trees.
Someone to start out small and to grow,
Sturdy, strong as a tree…” And so,
He created boys, full of spirit and fun,
To explore and conquer, to romp and run.
With dirty faces and banged up chins,
With courageous hearts and boyish grins.
When He had completed the task He’d begun
He surely said “A job well done”.

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 BOYS – RELIGIOUS

Why God Made Little Boys

God made the world out of His dreams,
Of magic mountains, oceans and streams,
Prairies and plains and wooded land.
Then paused and thought,
“I need someone to stand,
On top of mountains, to conquer the seas,
Explore the plains and climb the trees.
Someone to start out small and to grow,
Sturdy, strong as a tree…” And so,
He created boys, full of spirit and fun,
To explore and conquer, to romp and run.
With dirty faces and banged up chins,
With courageous hearts and boyish grins.
When He had completed the task He’d begun,
He surely said “A job well done”.

CHILDHOOD

Being Small

by John Maguire

Sometimes I just hate being small,
When everybody else is tall,
I think the world is most unfair
With me down here and them up there.

It’s awful when a juicy peach
Is in a bowl far out of reach
Or parents have safely put away
The toys with which I want to play.

It’s terrible to have to stretch
For everything you want to fetch
While bigger people help themselves
To things from off the highest shelves.

Perhaps it might be less unfair
If they were kind of stuck up there
And had to wait till I came round
To give them things from off the ground;

But no, they can easily bend,
To fetch and carry, make and mend,
While if I want to reach that cup,
I have no way of bending up!

Give us the spirit of the child

Give us the child who lives within – the child who trusts, the child who imagines, the child who sings, the child who receives without reservation, the child who gives without judgement.
Give us a child’s eyes, that we may receive the beauty and freshness of this day like a sunrise.
Give us a child’s ears, that we may hear the music of mythical times.
Give us a child’s heart, that we may be filled with wonder and delight.
Give us a child’s faith, that we may be cured of our cynicism.
Give us the spirit of the child, who is not afraid to need, who is not afraid to love.

Know you what it is to be a child?

By Francis Thompson & William Blake

Know you what it is to be a child? … It is to have a spirit yet streaming from the waters of baptism; it is to believe in love, to believe in loveliness, to believe in belief; it is to be so little that the elves can reach to whisper in your ear; it is to turn pumpkins into coaches, and mice into horses, lowness into loftiness, and nothing into everything, – for each child has a fairy god-mother in his/her own soul; it is to live in a nutshell and count yourself the king/queen of infinite space; it is: To see the World in a grain of sand, And a heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour.

Know you what it is to be a child?

By Francis Thompson and William Blake

Know you what it is to be a child? … It is to have a spirit yet streaming from the waters of baptism; it is to believe in love, to believe in loveliness, to believe in belief; it is to be so little that the elves can reach to whisper in your ear; it is to turn pumpkins into coaches, and mice into horses, lowness into loftiness, and nothing into everything, – for each child has a fairy god-mother in his/her own soul; it is to live in a nutshell and count yourself the king/queen of infinite space; it is: To see the World in a grain of sand, And a heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour.

May Beauty Delight You

By author unknown

May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fulfill you and love surround you.
May your step be steady and your arm be strong,
May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live.
May you live to love, and may you love – always

If children live with security, they learn to have faith;
If children live with approval,
they learn to like themselves;
If children live with love around them,
they learn to give love to the world.

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 DAD / FATHERHOOD

see also PRAYERS BY A FATHER

Footprints

Author Unknown

“Walk a little slower Daddy” said a child so small,
“I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they’re hard to see;
So walk a little slower Daddy,
For you are leading me.
Someday when I’m all grown up,
You’re what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child
Who’ll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true;
So walk a little slower Daddy,
For I must follow you.

Just like Dad

By Author unknown

I want to be just like my Dad
Surely that’s not all that bad.
Now I’m small and smooth and cute,
But soon I’ll be a hairy brute!
I’ll be cool and have to shave,
I’ll be tall and strong and brave!
It would make me really glad
To follow in the footsteps of my Dad
I’ve got all these things to come –
But gee – I hope I look like Mum

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DESCRIPTIVE

A Natural High

What else could bring you so much joy,
As the arrival of your baby boy!
His snuggly charms now capture you;
He’s in your thoughts in all you do.
Nothing can fill you so full of glee,
As bouncing your little boy on your knee.
His precious antics please mum and dad;
He’s a bundle of blessings, this little lad!
His boyish grin enchants everyone;
He’s just what you wanted – your boy, your son.
A baby boy is a natural high,
So have lots of fun with your little guy.

DREAMS & DREAMING

A Recipe for Dreaming

By Author Unknown

Nature formed you with perfect feet and hands and a heart that beats non-stop, sometimes for a hundred years. You were made complete. You have inherited a thousand generations of wisdom, skill, poetry, song, all the sunrises and sunsets of knowledge past. You are the sum of all the people who went before you.

You are a refinery of all inherited intellectual wealth, the full flood of antecedent wisdom is piped and stored within you – how to climb the highest mountain, slay the biggest monster, how to survive fear and how to summon your own courage and take pride in your wonderful intelligence.

Inside you are more possibilities than you could possibly use up in one lifetime.

If you can dream it, you can do it, because the instinctive knowledge of how to succeed is already programmed within you waiting to be turned on, it is waiting to flow like a river as you come on stream.

Follow Your Dreams

By Author unknown

When others say “It’s hopeless and it really can’t be done.”
When they tell you “It’s all over. It’s a race that can’t be won.”
And they promise “You could spend your life just lying in the sun.”
Follow your dreams boy. Follow your dreams!

When the people you admire, but who wouldn’t understand,
Tell you “Other roads are safer. Your dreams are much too grand.”
Or the doubters and the tempters try to take you by the hand.
Follow your dreams boy. Follow your dreams!

You should listen to the counsel of the people that you trust.
But don’t be turned aside just because they might get fussed
You live the life that in your heart you know you really must.
Follow your dreams boy. Follow your dreams!

There is nothing you can’t conquer if you believe you can.
No mountains you can’t straddle, no oceans you can’t span.
Just conjure up a vision and set yourself a plan.
Follow your dreams boy. Follow your dreams!

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FAMILY

A Family

By Author Unknown

A family is a place to cry, laugh and vent frustrations,
To ask for help, tease and yell,
To be touched and hugged and smiled at.
A family is people who care when you are sad,
Who love you no matter what and share your triumphs.
Who don’t expect you to be perfect,
Just growing with honesty, in your own direction.
Family is a circle
Where we learn to like ourselves
Where we learn to make good decisions, and think before we do.
Where we learn integrity and table manners,
And respect for other people.
Where we are special, and share ideas.
Where we listen and are listened to.
Where we learn the rules of life
To prepare ourselves for the world
The world is a place where anything can happen,
If we grow up in a loving family, we are ready for the world.

Children Learn What They Live

By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

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FUNNY

Through Baby’s Eyes

By Author Unknown

I didn’t expect a brass band,
With welcome mat unfurled.
To be on hand when I arrived,
In this confusing world.
Nor did I expect a doctor;
To hold me by the feet,
Then quickly turn me upside down,
And spank me on the seat.
At first I wasn’t quite prepared,
For this enormous place,
Nor for the funny characters,
That I would have to face.
But soon I learned to get my way,
By looking sweet and shy,
And when I wanted to be held,
To make a fuss and cry.
I’ve found it really doesn’t take,
Much difficulty or guile.
To wrap them round my finger;
All I need to do is smile.

GIRLS

A Tribute To All Daughters

by Helen Steiner Rice

Every home should have a daughter
for there’s nothing like a girl,
To keep the world around her
in one continuous whirl….

From the moment she arrives on earth,
and on through womanhood,

A daughter is a female
who is seldom understood….
One minute she is laughing
the next she starts to cry,

Man just can’t understand her
and there’s just no use to try…..

She is soft and sweet and cuddly
but she’s also wise and smart,
She’s a wondrous combination
of a mind and brains and heart….

And even in her baby days
She’s just a born coquette,
and anything she really wants,
she manages to get….

For even at a tender age
she uses all her whiles,
and she can melt the hardest heart
with the sunshine of her smiles.

Brand New Little Daughter

by Linda Lee Elrod

She´s your brand new little daughter,
so enchanted, sweet and smart.
With a coo, she´ll have you smiling
With a laugh, she´ll own your heart.

It´s the time for hugs and kisses,
Reassurance when she cries.
It´s the time for making moments
Full of love and Lullabies.

For these golden days of childhood
come and go so very fast –
Hold her tight and love her dearly.
Make these precious moments last.

For Girls…

By Author unknown

Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people.
They are born with a little bit of angel shine about them,
and though it wears thin sometimes,
there is always enough left to lasso your heart –
even when they are sitting in the mud,
or crying temperamental tears,
or parading up the street in mother’s best clothes.

Girls…

Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people.
They are born with a little bit of angel shine about them,
and though it wears thin sometimes,
there is always enough left to lasso your heart –
even when they are sitting in the mud,
or crying temperamental tears,
or parading up the street in mother’s best clothes.

What Is A Girl

She’s a bundle of happiness wrapped up in pink,
Who’ll take over your heart just as quick as a wink.
She’s a lover of perfume, of satin and lace,
And it pleases her so, just to powder her face.
She’s an angel who’s learned when to turn on the tears…
For she’s blessed with a wisdom beyond her short years.
She’s an elf bubbling over with laughter and fun,
Who will “mother” most anything under the sun.
She’s the hope of tomorrow topped off with a curl…
A dreamer, a darling, all this is a girl.

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 GIRLS – RELIGIOUS

Why God Made Little Girls (1)

God made the world with its towering trees,
Majestic mountains and restless seas.
Then paused and said, “It needs one more thing;
Someone to laugh and dance and sing,
To walk in the woods and gather flowers,
To commune with nature in quiet hours.”
So God made little girls,
With laughing eyes and bouncing curls.
With joyful hearts and infectious smiles,
Enchanting ways and feminine wiles.
And when He completed the task He’d begun,
He was pleased and proud of the job He’d done.
For the world, when seen through a little girl’s eyes,
Greatly resembles Paradise.

Why God Made Baby Girls (2)

God created little girls to cuddle in your arms.
He made them warm and very soft with sweet and special charms….
They sometimes keep you at night but brighten every day.
With sunny smiles and laughing eyes that steal your heart away…

HANDS & FEET

A Baby’s Feet

by  Algernon Charles Swinburne

A baby’s feet, like sea shells pink,
Might tempt, should heaven see meet
An angel’s lips to kiss, we think,
A baby’s feet.

Like rose-hued sea flowers toward the heat
They stretch and spread and wink
Their ten soft buds that part and meet.

No flower bells that expand and shrink
Gleam half so heavenly sweet,
As shine on life’s untrodden brink
A baby’s feet.

Baby’s Feet

By author unknown

Someday I’ll jump through puddles,
Take a stroll or run a race.
Someday I’ll walk across the street
Or maybe walk in space.
Someday I’ll scale a mountain
Or I’ll join the ballet corps.
Someday I’ll walk a tightrope
Or explore the ocean floor.
Someday these feet will do some things
That only heaven knows
But for today they’re happy
Just to wiggle their toes!

Give us the spirit of the child

By Author Unknown

Give us the child who lives within – the child who trusts, the child who imagines, the child who sings, the child who receives without reservation, the child who gives without judgement.
Give us a child’s eyes, that we may receive the beauty and freshness of this day like a sunrise.
Give us a child’s ears, that we may hear the music of mythical times.
Give us a child’s heart, that we may be filled with wonder and delight.
Give us a child’s faith, that we may be cured of our cynicism.
Give us the spirit of the child, who is not afraid to need, who is not afraid to love.

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 HAPPINESS

I Want You To Be Happy

By Author Unknown

I want you to be happy.
I want you to fill your heart with feelings of wonder and to be full of courage and hope.
I want you to have the type of friendship that is a treasure – and the kind of love that is beautiful forever.
I wish you contentment: the sweet, quiet, inner kind that comes around and never goes away.
I want you to have hopes and have them all come true.
I want you to have a real understanding of how unique and rare you truly are.
I want to remind you that the sun may disappear for a while, but it never forgets to shine.
May the words you listen to say the things you need to hear.
And may a cheerful face lovingly look back at you when you happen to glance in your mirror.
I wish you the insight to see your inner and outer beauty.
I wish you sweet dreams.
I want you to have times when you feel like singing and dancing and laughing out loud.
I want you to be able to make your good times better and your hard times easier to handle.
I wish I could find a way to tell you – in untold ways – how important you are to me.
Of all the things I’ll be wishing for, wherever you are and whatever I may do,
there will never be a day in my life when I won’t be wishing for the best… for you.

HUMAN RIGHTS & INDEPENDENCE

Declaration of the Rights of the Child

We owe to the child the best we have to give. This is what it says in the ‘Declaration of the Rights of the Child’, which was adopted unanimously on 20 November 1959 by the General assembly of the United Nations.

Children have rights:
The right to equality, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex and nationality
The right to healthy mental and physical development
The right to a name and nationality
The right to sufficient food, housing and medical care
The right to special care if handicapped
The right to love, understanding and care
The right to free education, play and recreation
The right to immediate aid in the event of disasters and emergencies
The right to protection from cruelty, neglect, and exploitation.
The right to protection from persecution and to an upbringing in the spirit
of [sisterhood], brotherhood and peace.

Your children are not your children

By Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward not tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and bends you with might that the arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as the Archer loves the arrow that flies, so the Archer also loves the bow that is stable.

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 LOVE

A Child to Love

by Kelly McGinnis

You can have your wealth and riches
All the things so many seek,
Position, power, and success,
The fame you long to keep.

You can earn as much as you wish,
Reach a status high above,
But none of these can equal
Having one sweet child to love.

‘Tis the greatest gift from heaven,
Little arms that hold you tight,
And a kiss so soft and gentle
When you tuck them in at night.

A million precious questions
And each story often read,
Two eyes so bright and smiling,
And a darling tousled head.

God has never matched the goodness
Of a trusting little face,
Or a heart so full of laughter
Spreading sunshine every place.

A child to hold and cuddle,
‘Tis a gift from God above,
And the world is so much brighter
When you have a child to love.

If children live with love around them

If children live with security, they learn to have faith;
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves;
If children live with love around them, they learn to give love to the world.

May you live to love, and may you love – always

[Child] – today we officially welcome you.

We wish you long life and much happiness.
May you face all challenges that come to you as a person of integrity,
May you continue to bring great joy to your parents, your grandparents, family, friends, and to all those who come to know you.
May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fulfill you and love surround you.
May your step be steady and your arm be strong,
May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live.
May you live to love, and may you love – always.

 

You are my I love you

BY Maryann K Cusimano

I am your parent you are my child
I am your quiet place, you are my wild
I am your calm face, you are my giggle
I am your wait, you are my wiggle
I am your audience, you are my clown
I am your London Bridge, you are my falling down
I am your Carrot Sticks, you are my licorice
I am your dandelion, you are my first wish
I am your water wings, you are my deep
I am your open arms, you are my running leap
I am your way home, you are my new path
I am your dry towel, you are my wet bath
I am your dinner you are my chocolate cake
I am your bedtime, you are my wide awake
I am your finish line, you are my race
I am your praying hands, you are my saving grace
I am your favourite book, you are my new lines
I am your nightlight, you are my sunshine
I am your lullaby, you are my peek-a-boo
I am your kiss goodnight, you are my I love you

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MOTHERS

A Mother’s Wish

By Author Unknown

I hope my child looks back on today
And sees a mother who had time to play.
There will be years for cleaning and cooking,
But children grow up when you’re not looking.
Tomorrow I’ll do all the chores you can mention
But today, my baby needs time and attention.
So settle down cobwebs; dust go to sleep,
I’m cuddling my baby, and babies don’t keep.

What about “Mother’s Heart”

by Author Unknown.

I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
Our life together has just begun,
You’re part of me my little one.

As mother with child, each day I grew,
My mind was filled with thoughts of you.
I’d daydream of the things we’d share,
Like late-night bottles and teddy bears.
Like first steps and skinned knees,
Like bedtime stories and ABC’s.

I thought of things you’d want to know,
Like how birds fly and flowers grow.
I thought of lessons I’d need to share,
Like standing tall and playing fair.

When I first saw your precious face,
I prayed your life be touched with grace.
I thanked the angels from above,
And promised you unending love.

Each night I lay you down to sleep,
I gently kiss your head and cheek.
I count your little fingers and toes;
I memorize your eyes and nose.
I linger at your nursery door,
And each day I love you more.
Through misty eyes, I dim the light,
I whisper “I Love You” every night.

I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
As mother and child our journey’s begun,
My heart’s yours forever, my little one.

Mother’s Heart

by Author Unknown.

I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
Our life together has just begun,
You’re part of me my little one.

As mother with child, each day I grew,
My mind was filled with thoughts of you.
I’d daydream of the things we’d share,
Like late-night bottles and teddy bears.
Like first steps and skinned knees,
Like bedtime stories and ABC’s.

I thought of things you’d want to know,
Like how birds fly and flowers grow.
I thought of lessons I’d need to share,
Like standing tall and playing fair.
When I first saw your precious face,
I prayed your life be touched with grace.
I thanked the angels from above,
And promised you unending love.

Each night I lay you down to sleep,
I gently kiss your head and cheek.
I count your little fingers and toes;
I memorize your eyes and nose.
I linger at your nursery door,
And each day I love you more.
Through misty eyes, I dim the light,
I whisper “I Love You” every night.
I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
As mother and child our journey’s begun,
My heart’s yours forever, my little one.

Night Night Mummy – See You Later

By Author Unknown

At seven o’clock every evening, my Mum tucks me up in my bed.
I’m nice and snug in my ‘jamas, beside me my faithful old Ted.
I always nod off very quickly – before Mum has turned out the light,
But when it’s her bedtime much later, well then I wake up for the night.
For there’s no time of day I like better, than the hours between midnight and three,
For Mum hasn’t got any housework and can give her attention to me.
And when I start yelling and shouting, Mum knows that she has to be quick
For the night when she leaves me to grizzle, is the night I decide to be sick.
But Mum can’t mind in the slightest, at being my playmate ’til two –
She’d normally spend this time sleeping, for she’s nothing much better to do.
Some nights she mixes a cocktail, from the bottles she keeps on the shelf,
Which sometimes she gives me to swallow – and sometimes she gulps down
herself!
And if in the morning I’m sleepy, and feel in the need of a perk,
I can have forty winks in my pushchair, while Mummy gets on with her work.
But nothing’s as nice as the night time.

And nothing can equal the pleasure
Of finding it’s four in the morning and being Mum’s wide-awake treasure!

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 NATIVE AMERICAN

Omaha Native American Blessing

Sun, Moon, Stars, all you that move in the heavens, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make his/her path smooth, that he/she may reach the brow of the first hill!

Winds, Clouds, Rain, Mist, all you that move in the air, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make his/her path smooth, that he/she may reach the brow of the second hill!

Hills, Valleys, Rivers, Lakes, Trees, Grasses, all you of the earth, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make his/her path smooth, that he/she may reach the brow of the third hill!

Birds, great and small, that fly in the air,
Animals, great and small, that dwell in the forest,
Insects that creep among the grasses and burrow in the ground, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make his/her path smooth, that he/she may reach the brow of the fourth hill!

All you of the heavens, all you of the air, all you of the earth, hear us!
Into your midst has come a new life.
Make his/her path smooth, then shall he/she travel beyond the four hills!

PARENTING & FAMILY

A Child learns what he (she) lives

By Author Unknown

If a child lives with criticism
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame
he learns to feel guilt.

BUT,
If a child lives with tolerance
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with fairness
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship
he learns to find love in the world.

A Family

by Author Unknown

A family is a place to cry, laugh and vent frustrations,
To ask for help, tease and yell,
To be touched and hugged and smiled at.
A family is people who care when you are sad,
Who love you no matter what and share your triumphs.
Who don’t expect you to be perfect,
Just growing with honesty, in your own direction.
Family is a circle
Where we learn to like ourselves
Where we learn to make good decisions, and think before we do.
Where we learn integrity and table manners,
And respect for other people.
Where we are special, and share ideas.
Where we listen and are listened to.
Where we learn the rules of life
To prepare ourselves for the world
The world is a place where anything can happen,
If we grow up in a loving family, we are ready for the world.

A Parent’s Love

A parent’s love is something that no one can explain
It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifce and pain,
It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it or take that love away…

It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking,
It never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking
It believes beyond believing when the word around condemns
It glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems

It is far beyond defying, it defies all explanation,
It still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation.
A many splendour miracle..man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence of Life’s tender guiding hand.

A Parent’s Wish

By Author Unknown

We wish you a childhood full of fun and games
And we wish you memories that have little pain.
We wish you to learn by making mistakes.
We wish you to love and never to hate.
We wish you the strength to make up your own mind
But we wish that your heart will be gentle and kind.
We wish you to reach out when a friend needs a hand
And we wish you to help him face life’s demand.
We wish your life brings you some ups and some downs.
But we wish you will smile much more than you’ll frown.
We wish you will taste life’s ‘Sweet smell of success’.
Only to find no replacement for true love and happiness.
We wish life will teach you to stand on your own.
But we wish you to know that you’re never alone.
We wish you success in all that you do.
And we hope that all your dreams will come true.
But the one thing above and beyond all of this
Is the love that is felt by your ‘Parents’ Wish’

A Poem for Parents

By Author Unknown

There are little eyes upon you,
And they are watching night and day;
There are little ears that quickly
Take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager
To do everything you do;
And a little boy who’s dreaming
Of the day he’ll be like you.
You’re the little fellow’s idol;
You’re the wisest of the wise;
In his little mind, about you
No suspicions ever rise.
He believes in you devotedly,
Holds that all you say and do,
He will say and do in your way
When he’s grown up like you.
There’s a wide-eyed little fellow
Who believes you’re always right;
And his ears are always open,
And he watches day and night.
You are setting an example
Every day in all you do;
For the little boy who’s waiting
To grow up to be just like you.

And so the children come

By Sophia Lyon Fahs

And so the children come.
And so they have been coming.
Always in the same way they come –
Born of the seed of man and woman.
No angels herald their beginning,
No prophets predict their future courses,
No wise men see a star to point their way
To find the babe that may save [hu]mankind.
Yet each night a child is born is a holy night.
Fathers and Mothers –
Sitting beside their children’s cribs –
Feel glory in the wondrous sight of a life beginning.
They ask: “When or how will this new life end?
Or will it ever end?”
Each night a child is born is a holy night.

A Poem for Parents

By Author Unknown

There are little eyes upon you,
And they are watching night and day;
There are little ears that quickly
Take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager
To do everything you do;
And a little boy who’s dreaming
Of the day he’ll be like you.
You’re the little fellow’s idol;
You’re the wisest of the wise;
In his little mind, about you
No suspicions ever rise.
He believes in you devotedly,
Holds that all you say and do,
He will say and do in your way
When he’s grown up like you.
There’s a wide-eyed little fellow
Who believes you’re always right;
And his ears are always open,
And he watches day and night.
You are setting an example
Every day in all you do;
For the little boy who’s waiting
To grow up to be just like you.

Celebrating Life

We are glad to share the joy of these parents [PARENT] and [PARENT]

With them we wonder at the miracle of life recreating itself.

We promise to uphold them in the task of nurturing their child and dedicate ourselves to building a community in which the possibilities of their child’s life may be fully realised.

We speak their child’s name [CHILD] honouring in him/her the rights and dignities of the human person.

For The Gift Of A Child

By Author Unknown.

For the gift of a child, [CHILD] whose innocence and laughter keep the world young, we rejoice and give thanks.

May this new life, which we have accepted into our community of ideals and friendship, receive abundantly the blessings of health, love, knowledge, and wisdom, and in her/his turn give back richly to the common heritage that endures from generation to generation.

And for the gift of parenthood made to [PARENT] and [PARENT] we also give our thanks.

May they and all parents everywhere give their children security and freedom and love, and may they be blessed with much joy, much laughter and much patience in the divine task of nurture.

Indigo Children

By Author Unknown.

This child was created by two beautiful people
Parts of their soul passing into her
All of their hearts pouring into her
Their child brought to live in this world
Their joy looking out into the universe

You can look in her face and see her parents
You can look in her eyes and see her uncles and cousins.
The hands and ears given by grandparents and aunts
She is the combination of all her family history
and yet she is more.

She will have more strength in her bones, stronger then her parents
She will be more brave than all her cousins combined
She will know more than her aunts and uncles have taught her
She will be more wise than her grandparents, on both sides
She will be all these things, but only sometimes.
For this child will live in the wide world
She will stand between the heaven and the earth
She will see through her own eyes
She will feel with her own heart
It’s the wide world that will shape her.

This child was created by two beautiful people
No other will live in the world as she does
She is their gift to the world,
and in return, the world’s gift back,
to those who love her and share her life.

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I Want You To Be Happy

By Author Unknown

I want you to be happy.
I want you to fill your heart with feelings of wonder and to be full of courage and hope.
I want you to have the type of friendship that is a treasure – and the kind of love that is beautiful forever.
I wish you contentment: the sweet, quiet, inner kind that comes around and never goes away.
I want you to have hopes and have them all come true.
I want you to have a real understanding of how unique and rare you truly are.
I want to remind you that the sun may disappear for a while, but it never forgets to shine.
May the words you listen to say the things you need to hear.
And may a cheerful face lovingly look back at you when you happen to glance in your mirror.
I wish you the insight to see your inner and outer beauty.
I wish you sweet dreams.
I want you to have times when you feel like singing and dancing and laughing out loud.
I want you to be able to make your good times better and your hard times easier to handle.
I wish I could find a way to tell you – in untold ways – how important you are to me.
Of all the things I’ll be wishing for, wherever you are and whatever I may do,
there will never be a day in my life when I won’t be wishing for the best… for you.

Ode on the Whole Duty of Parents

by  Frances Cornford

The spirits of children are remote and wise,
They must go free
Like fishes in the sea
Or starlings in the skies,
Whilst you remain
The shore where casually they come again.
But when there falls the stalking shade of fear,
You must be suddenly near,
You, the unstable, must become a tree
In whose unending heights of flowering green
Hangs every fruit that grows, with silver bells;
Where heart-distracting magic birds are seen
And all the things a fairy-story tells;
Though still you should possess
Roots that go deep in ordinary earth,
And strong consoling bark
To love and to caress.
Last, when at dark
Safe on the pillow lies an up-gazing head
And drinking holy eyes
Are fixed on you,
When, from behind them, questions come to birth
Insistently,
On all the things that you have ever said
Of suns and snakes and parallelograms and flies,
And whether these are true,
Then for a while you’ll need to be no more
That sheltering shore
Or legendary tree in safety spread,
No, then you must put on
The robes of Solomon,
Or simply be
Sir Isaac Newton sitting on the bed.

Parental Promise

We promise to help you
To lead you
To encourage you
To care for you
To love you
Your Godparents

Precious one
So small and sweet
Dancing in on angel feet
Brightest star
What a miracle you are

The Greatest Gift of All

By Author Unknown

We give you the greatest gift of all,
a headstart that will last throughout your life

We shall do our best to teach you,
but it will be up to you to learn

We shall try to guide you in the right directions,
but it will be up to you to make the right decisions

We shall also encourage you to seek your own independence
but it will be up to you to be responsible

We shall tell you about ‘drink and drugs’,
but it will be up to you to say ‘no’

We shall teach you about respect,
but you will choose whether to appreciate its value

We shall encourage you to try,
but you should want to succeed for yourself

We shall teach you kindness,
but it will be up to you to be good-natured

We shall teach you to share,
but it will be up to you to be unselfish

We shall model values for you.
but you have to develop your own morals

We give you this knowledge as a gift
with all our love.

There is a song in man

By Spike Milligan

There is a song in man
There is a song in woman
And that is the child’s song.
When that song comes
There will be no words.
Do not ask where they are.
Just listen to the song.
Listen to it –
Learn it –
It is the greatest song of all

There is a song in man

by Spike Milligan]

There is a song in man
There is a song in woman
And that is the child’s song.
When that song comes
There will be no words.
Do not ask where they are.
Just listen to the song.
Listen to it –
Learn it –
It is the greatest song of all.

You are the Poem

By Author Unknown

You are the poem
I dreamed of writing,
The masterpiece
I longed to paint.
You are the shining star
I reached for in my ever-hopeful quest
For life fulfilled…
You are my child.
Now with all things
I am blessed.

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 PRAYERS

see also:

A Prayer For Protection Over Your Child

(Modified from a prayer by Rebecca Barlow Jordan and/or Ryan Duncan)

Lord, I pray for Your emotional, physical, and spiritual protection over my son/daughter.

Keep evil far from him/her, and help him/her to trust You as his refuge and strength.

I pray You will guard him/her mind from harmful instruction, and grant him/her discernment to recognize truth.

I pray You will make him/her strong and courageous in the presence of danger, recognizing that You have overcome and will set right all injustice and wrong one day.

Help him/her to find rest in Your shadow, as she/he lives in the spiritual shelter You provide for him/her.

Let him/her know that the only safe place is in Jesus,and that his home on earth is only temporary.

Birthday Prayer For Your Child

Dear Lord, on this day that we celebrate <name>’s birth, I pray for blessings and joy over  <name>’.

You knew everything about him/her before her/his birth and You have a plan of prosperity and hope for his/her life!

Let him feel confident and ready for the year ahead knowing that You have an order to her/his steps and a purpose for her/his life.

Help him/her to find joy in every circumstance in life, knowing that You work all things out for good. I thank You for <name>, for loving him with unconditional love, and for the promises

You have spoken over his life. In Jesus Name,

Amen.

The Lords Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespassers as we also have forgiven those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory
Now and for ever.
Amen

A Baptism Prayer

This day that the Lord has made
A sunny tapestry of lacy leaf, red bud
And springing green in hill and glade,
We rejoice and let gladness flood
Our hearts, as the psalmist bade.

This day we dedicate this sweet bird,
Nesting in her parents’ loving arms,
To live her life according to God’s Word.
We ask the Lord to keep her from all harms.

Hover, O Holy Spirit, ever near
Bless her and all who hold her dear.
Teach her to grow with grace
And help her both joy and sorrow face.
Let this day’s clear blue skies a token be
That she will soar, from here to eternity.

A Father’s Prayer for His Son

My son, my prayer for you is simple.
In following your heart may you be kind, considerate and honest.
Compassion is a magnet that draws people and happiness to you so you will never be alone.
Follow the words of the Ten Commandments and have faith in others with your eyes open.
Share your love and travel safely in your journey.
Amen

A Fathers’ Prayer for Safety

God, this world is hostile. And sometimes violence and pain fall on good and innocent people.
As parents we see this and the insecurity these threats spark in us are sometimes immobilizing.
We cannot ensure the safety of our own children.
Our reach is too short, and we can never even anticipate all the risks they might face.
Often our imaginations run wild. Our fears for our children – and for ourselves seeing our children in danger or pain – can overwhelm us.
God, when we come to the end of our ability to control things we turn to you.
We ask for your protection over our children, over their choices, over the friends they make, over the encounters they have with other adults.
God, stand guard.
We do not always understand how your protection works, and why some who call to you are seemingly not kept safe.
Still, we ask for your presence in the lives of our kids.
Who else can we trust, but we? We certainly cannot secure their lives ourselves.
And you do promise to guard and protect when we ask. ‘The Lord is my refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
This is the promise we claim for our children.
Be ever present with them, and keep them from danger and sickness and violence and foolishness and accidents of nature.
Send angels to be beside them today. When we can’t trust ourselves, we trust you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

A Step of Faith

A bit of faith, a heart so true,
You took that step, now born anew.
For you He suffered and He died,
Now and forever at your side.
You heard the truth, chose to believe,
His Holy Spirit you’ll receive.
Always let your faith abide,
And forever He will be your guide.
Call on His name in prayer each day,
For Jesus said…
“I Am The Way.”

Baptism Poem

Welcome, precious little child,
So fresh from God above,
Baptised today in Jesus’ name,
Held in His arms of love.
May angels guide your tiny feet
And bring you smiles to wear
And may our Heavenly Father
Always keep you in His care.

Christening Day Poem

Children are so precious
they are gifts sent from above
they fill your lives with happiness
and fill your hearts with love.
And on this very special day
may you feel a sense of pride
as your Son/Daughter is being Christened
with family and friends all by your side.
We’ll say a prayer for this young life
so innocent and new
that God will bless this little boy/girl
who means the world to you.
Today is the beginning
of a future warm and bright
filled with love and joy
and many years of pure delight.

Christening Poems for Boys

by Tammy Fox

Lord bless this child
with gifts galore
From heaven up above
Give him faith
and understanding
Fill his little heart with love
Give him patience
give him wisdom
Let laughter fill his days
Give an angels song
to light his nights
And guidance on his way
Give him hope
when things seem hopeless
Give him trust when all else fails
Give him strength
to know the difference
So that right always prevails…
Lord bless this child
with all the gifts
A little one may need
So he might grow up
strong in faith
For then he will succeed!!!

Christening Prayer

Children are so precious
they are gifts sent from above
they fill your lives with happiness
and fill your hearts with love.
And on this very special day
may you feel a sense of pride
as your son/daughter is being Christened
with family and friends all by your side.
We’ll say a prayer for this young life
so innocent and new
that God will bless this little boy/girl
who means the world to you.
Today is the beginning
of a future warm and bright
filled with love and joy
and many years of pure delight.

Irish Christening Blessing

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun.
And find your shoulder to light on
To bring you luck, happiness and riches.
Today, tomorrow and beyond.

May God Grant You Always

May God grant you always,
A sunbeam to warm you.
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel,
So nothing can harm you.
Laughter to cheer you,
Faithful friends near you.
And whenever you pray,
Heaven can hear you.

Prayer Of Saint Francis Of Assisi

Lord make me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Prayer Of Saint Francis Of Assisi (modified version by Lou Szymkow)

Dear Lord, care and watch over this precious child

That he/she may be an instrument of Your peace

Where there is hatred, let him/her sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that he/she may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Lord, may your angels guide and protect this child’s and his/her parents always

Amen

Psalm 100

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart, for they will give you a long and satisfying life.
Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favour with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

Your children are not your children

By Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward not tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and bends you with might that the arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as the Archer loves the arrow that flies, so the Archer also loves the bow that is stable.

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PRAYERS BY A FATHER

see also:

A Father’s Prayer for His Son

My son, my prayer for you is simple.
In following your heart may you be kind, considerate and honest.
Compassion is a magnet that draws people and happiness to you so you will never be alone.
Follow the words of the Ten Commandments and have faith in others with your eyes open.
Share your love and travel safely in your journey.
Amen

A Fathers Prayer for Safety

God, this world is hostile. And sometimes violence and pain fall on good and innocent people.
As parents we see this and the insecurity these threats spark in us are sometimes immobilizing.
We cannot ensure the safety of our own children.
Our reach is too short, and we can never even anticipate all the risks they might face.
Often our imaginations run wild. Our fears for our children – and for ourselves seeing our children in danger or pain – can overwhelm us.
God, when we come to the end of our ability to control things we turn to you.
We ask for your protection over our children, over their choices, over the friends they make, over the encounters they have with other adults.
God, stand guard.
We do not always understand how your protection works, and why some who call to you are seemingly not kept safe.
Still, we ask for your presence in the lives of our kids.
Who else can we trust, but we? We certainly cannot secure their lives ourselves.
And you do promise to guard and protect when we ask. ‘The Lord is my refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
This is the promise we claim for our children.
Be ever present with them, and keep them from danger and sickness and violence and foolishness and accidents of nature.
Send angels to be beside them today. When we can’t trust ourselves, we trust you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

A Step of Faith

A bit of faith, a heart so true,
You took that step, now born anew.
For you He suffered and He died,
Now and forever at your side.
You heard the truth, chose to believe,
His Holy Spirit you’ll receive.
Always let your faith abide,
And forever He will be your guide.
Call on His name in prayer each day,
For Jesus said…
“I Am The Way.”

Dad’s Prayer

by © Lou Szymkow, April 2018

I dreamed of you before you arrived in our lives
I learned what a miracle is, when you your born
I thank God every day that you are with us
And look forward to every moment we spend together
You are my flesh
You are my blood
You are my life
I will love you always as I do today
And I pray that God will always guide me as a parent and that
God will protect and guide as you grow from the wonderful child that you are
To the man that you will be

Amen

Prayer Of Saint Francis Of Assisi (modified by Lou Szymkow)

Dear Lord, care and watch over this my child

That he/she may be an instrument of Your peace

Where there is hatred, let him/her sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that he/she may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Lord, may your angels guide and protect my son/daughter,

And all of our children, and us, his/her parents always

Amen

Psalm 100

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.

Store my commands in your heart, for they will give you a long and satisfying life.

Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart.

Then you will find favour with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

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QUOTATIONS

May we have grateful hearts for all we receive and be ever mindful of the needs of others.
(Maggie McCormick)

I do not think that the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, but rather how well its people have learned to relate to their environment and fellow man.
(Chippewa medicine man – Sun Bear)

TAOISM

Tao Te Ching

Giving birth and nourishing,
having without possessing,
acting with no expectations,
leading and not trying to control:
this is the supreme virtue.

TRAVEL

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

by Dr Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look ’em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
You’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
You’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
You’ll head straight out of town.

It’s opener there
In the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
And frequently do
To people as brainy
And footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
Don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
Who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’ t
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

You’ll get mixed up, of course,
As you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
With many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
And remember that Life’s
A Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So…
Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

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TWINS

Christening Poems for Twins

One tiny hand to guide and hold,
One tiny life to shape and mold;
each child, a gift from God above,
a symbol of His strength and love.

Twins

So many good things come in pairs,
Like ears and socks and panda bears,
But best of all are sets of twins
With extra laughter, double grins.

There’s so much fun in having two
With twice as many points of view,
So much alike, forever linked,
And yet they’re also quite distinct.

They share a birthday and a name,
But moods and tempers aren’t the same,
Although at times they may dispute,
Their loyalty is absolute.

From days of youth ’til life is done,
It’s one for both and both for one,
We’re all quite novel and precise,
But special folks …
God made them twice.

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WELCOME

May you live to love, and may you love – always

[Child] – today we officially welcome you.

We wish you long life and much happiness.
May you face all challenges that come to you as a person of integrity,
May you continue to bring great joy to your parents, your grandparents, family, friends, and to all those who come to know you.
May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fulfill you and love surround you.
May your step be steady and your arm be strong,
May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live.
May you live to love, and may you love – always.

Welcome

by Rita Ramsey

We’ve all been waiting for you.
For you.
Your arrival has been marked, has been recorded
on earth,
in the universe,
in the galaxies,
in all of space,
in all of time.
You come with a birthright, written in love and sung
through all Creation in words which promise
that no matter where you’re at,
you’re home
that no matter who you’re with,
you’re welcome
that no matter who you are,
you’re loved.
Welcome.

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WISHES

A Parent’s Wish

We wish you a childhood full of fun and games,
And we wish you memories that have little pain.
We wish you to learn by making mistakes,
We wish you to love and never to hate.

We wish you the strength to make up your own mind,
But we wish that your heart will be gentle and kind.
We wish you to reach out when a friend needs a hand,
And we wish you help him to face life’s demand.

We wish you what life brings you, some ups and some downs,
But we wish you will smile much more than you’ll frown.
We wish you will taste life’s “sweet smell of success”
Only to find no replacement for true love and happiness.

We wish life will teach you to stand on your own,
But we wish you to know that you’re never alone.
We wish you success in all that you do,
And we hope that all of your dreams will come true

For You

By Author Unknown

Wishing you many smiles and happy times to come
May life’s adventures be exciting and sweet
Filled with love from the friends that you’ll meet
You’ll soon grow up for time does fly
So cherish each moment as it goes by
From crawling and walking
To toddling and talking
There’s no knowing what you’ll do next
There’s a threshold to cross and a wide open door
And a wonderful world for you to explore
Sleep with the moonbeams and play in the sun
Let your life be a long one and filled with fun
May today and tomorrow and all days hereafter
Be days that are happy and filled with your laughter

If

by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools.
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!

I Want You To Be Happy

By Author Unknown

I want you to be happy.
I want you to fill your heart with feelings of wonder and to be full of courage and hope.
I want you to have the type of friendship that is a treasure – and the kind of love that is beautiful forever.
I wish you contentment: the sweet, quiet, inner kind that comes around and never goes away.
I want you to have hopes and have them all come true.
I want you to have a real understanding of how unique and rare you truly are.
I want to remind you that the sun may disappear for a while, but it never forgets to shine.
May the words you listen to say the things you need to hear.
And may a cheerful face lovingly look back at you when you happen to glance in your mirror.
I wish you the insight to see your inner and outer beauty.
I wish you sweet dreams.
I want you to have times when you feel like singing and dancing and laughing out loud.
I want you to be able to make your good times better and your hard times easier to handle.
I wish I could find a way to tell you – in untold ways – how important you are to me.
Of all the things I’ll be wishing for, wherever you are and whatever I may do,
there will never be a day in my life when I won’t be wishing for the best… for you.

May all your wishes come true

By author unknown

May all your wishes come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
And may you stay forever young
May you grow to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light that is surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and strong
And may you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
And may your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of change shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young.

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of
Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you
Yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love
But not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts,
You may house their bodies
But not their souls
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
Which not even you can visit
Not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
But seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward
Nor tarries with yesterday
You are simply the bows from which your children
As living arrows
Are sent forth.

May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fulfill you and love surround you.
May your step be steady and your arm be strong,
May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live.
May you live to love, and may you love – always.

My Wishes for You.

By Author Unknown

May the sun forever shine on you
to warm you through your day.
May the stars above shine in the night
to help you find your way.

May the breeze blow gently through the trees
singing to you it’s song.
May the family you love watch over you
Throughout the whole day long.

May the angels sing you their lullaby
as you enter into sleep.
May your dreams be filled with happiness
May you never weep.

May your life be filled with laughter and joy
May your worries and troubles be few
May you always be with the ones you love
These are my wishes for you.

May All Your Wishes Come True (Forever Young)

Music and lyrics by Bob Dylan

May God bless and keep you always

May all your wishes come true
May you always do for others, and let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung
And may you stay forever young

May you grow to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth, and see the light that’s surrounding you
May you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong
And may you stay forever young

May your hands always be busy, and may your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation when he winds of change shift
May your heart always be joyful, and your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young.

May You Live To Love, And May You Love – Always

By Author Unknown

[Child] – today we officially welcome you.

We wish you long life and much happiness.
May you face all challenges that come to you as a person of integrity,
May you continue to bring great joy to your parents, your grandparents, family, friends, and to all those who come to know you.
May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fulfill you and love surround you.
May your step be steady and your arm be strong,
May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live.
May you live to love, and may you love – always.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

by Dr Seuss

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look ’em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
You’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
You’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
You’ll head straight out of town.

It’s opener there
In the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
And frequently do
To people as brainy
And footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
Don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
Who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’ t
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

You’ll get mixed up, of course,
As you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
With many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
And remember that Life’s
A Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So…
Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

The Greatest Gift of All

We give you the greatest gift of all,
a headstart that will last throughout your life

We shall do our best to teach you,
but it will be up to you to learn

We shall try to guide you in the right directions,
but it will be up to you to make the right decisions
We shall also encourage you to seek your own independence
but it will be up to you to be responsible

We shall tell you about ‘drink and drugs’,
but it will be up to you to say ‘no’

We shall teach you about respect,
but you will choose whether to appreciate its value

We shall encourage you to try,
but you should want to succeed for yourself

We shall teach you kindness,
but it will be up to you to be good-natured

We shall teach you to share,
but it will be up to you to be unselfish

We shall model values for you.
but you have to develop your own morals

We give you this knowledge as a gift
with all our love.

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The Greatest Love of All

By Linda Creed (lyrics)

I believe the children are our are future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can’t take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be

And if by chance, that special place
That you’ve been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love

Wishes

By author unknown

Wishing you many smiles and happy times to come.
May life’s adventures be exciting and sweet
Filled with love from the friends that you’ll meet
You’ll soon grow up for time does fly
So cherish each moment as it goes by
From crawling and walking,
To toddling and talking
There’s no knowing what you’ll do next
There’s a threshold to cross and a wide open door
And a wonderful world for you to explore
Sleep with the moonbeams and play in the sun
Let your life be a long one and filled with fun
May today and tomorrow and all days hereafter
Be days that are happy and filled with your laughter.

Wishes for A Child

by Joanna Miller

May you know the gift of friendship,
Feel the sun upon your face,
May you win displaying dignity,
And accept defeat with grace,
May you marvel with the wonders,
Of nature and the earth,
May you value education,
And know your own true worth,
May you live and love with honesty,
And do the thing that’s right,
May you stand up for the homeless,
And sleep in peace at night,
May you thrive upon a challenge,
And sing and dance and laugh,
May you know the joy of parenthood,
And follow your own path.

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This webpage and all of its contents were written for the purposes of copyright,  Created by Lou Szymkow,  for A Life Celebrant–Lou Szymkow, www.alifecelebrant.com.au,
© Copyright 2017; © Copyright 2018; © Copyright 2019; © Copyright 2020; © Copyright 2021; © Copyright 2022

A Life Celebrant
Civil, Marriage, Naming & Funeral Celebrant

Lou Szymkow – A Life Celebrant

The Celebrant of choice

Friendly, professional, reliable, helpful, approachable.

  • Civil, Marriage, Commitment, Naming & Funeral Celebrant
  • Commonwealth- Registered Marriage Celebrant
  • Manyana NSW. Australia – covering the Shoalhaven, South Coast to Sydney and out to Canberra & Goulburn

 +61 (0) 457 00 1922    lou@alifecelebrant.com.au

A celebrant for all special occasions in your journey of life.

   

Your Life Events: Weddings, Commitments; Naming Ceremonies; Funerals, Memorials & More

This webpage and all of its contents were written for the purposes of copyright,  Created by Lou Szymkow,  for A Life Celebrant–Lou Szymkow, www.alifecelebrant.com.au,
© Copyright 2017; © Copyright 2018; © Copyright 2019; © Copyright 2020; © Copyright 2021; © Copyright 2022, © Copyright 2023; © Copyright 2024

 

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