Today, Auntie Kathryn led a naming ceremony to welcome Jeremy into our family and community. Kathryn explained that in her spiritual tradition, she believes that children deliberately find their way to the best families. She told the story of the Yemaya, the Ocean Mother Goddess, and her beloved sister Oshun, the Goddess of Love. Oshun loved everyone, and loved everyone so completely that she bore many children that she didn't want to care for, and it all worked out because Yemaya happily embraced these children and raised them well.
First, Kathryn offered the mommies different elements: cinnamon, representing the inevitable bitter moments of parenthood; sugar, to highlight the sweetness of raising a child; salt, to remind us that we each get to choose how we spice our foods and parent our children selecting only those nuggets of all the well-intentioned advice that works best for our family; and honey, to underscored how parenting takes as much hard, consistent work as making honey.
Next, each member of the community placed a wish stone in Jeremy's bowl, to make sure that, despite the hard knocks that Jeremy will undoubtedly experience moving through this world, he will also be full of good wishes from those who care deeply for him.
Genevieve wished Jeremy great happiness.
Doni wished for Jeremy joy and wonder.
Trish wished for Jeremy spontaneity and unconditional love.
Bob wished for Jeremy that his mommies will be his best friends.
MamaNay wished for Jeremy that he will always be a shining star for others to follow.
Mommie Barbie wished for Jeremy that he always remember that he is valuable.
And Kathryn wished for Jeremy that he have great courage.
Last, each member of the community whispered a secret in Jeremy's ear. It was incredibly powerful to witness this, as mothers. To watch our son be passed quietly and lovingly from person to person, for each adult who we love and respect so much to share a hushed secret with our son, and to watch Jeremy's countenance...indeed he seemed full of joy and wonder. Our young son already holds independent secrets and thoughts. It is difficult to articulate how spiritual this moment was, except to say I get a lump in my throught everytime I relive it.
We closed with a song.
How can anyone ever tell you that you are anything less than beautiful?
How can anyone ever tell you that you are less than whole?
And did anyone stop to notice that your living is a miracle?
And how deeply you are connected to us all?
1 comment:
wow. what an incredibly moving ceremony. it gave me shivers, just reading it. i LOVE the image of Jeremy's community whispering in his ear. thanks so much for sharing that!
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