Cradle Ceremony Wishes
Reading the papers, a long lie-in,be strong,up for the My heart's yours forever , Breakfast at tea-time,Stand upright and May you stand
begin,Information from websites: late,be courageous,thing that’s right,child our journeys which to live.Vodka, and dancing, and staying out May you always And do the As mother and
nice place in before you came?lights surrounding you.
honesty,breath, embraced my heart.world is a do, in the days And see the and love with You stole my with friendliness, they learn the What did we
know the truthMay you live start,If children live to caress.May you always own true worth,from the very those about them.To love and true,And know your
I loved you themselves and in
Laughter, tears, and everything in between...
barkup to be education,I whisper, "I love you" every night.have faith in And strong consoling May you grow May you value light,
with security, they learn to earth,righteous,
the earth,Through misty eyes, I dim the If children live
deep in ordinary up to be Of nature and
more.consideration, they learn respect.Roots that go
May you grow with the wonders,I love you
with kindness and should possessforever young.
May you marvel Awed each day If children live
Though still you May you stay with grace,
your nursery door,with fairness, they learn justice.things a fairy-story tells;
every rung,And accept defeat I linger at
If children live And all the And climb on
displaying dignity,eyes and nose.with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
are seenthe starsMay you win
I memorize your If children live Where heart-distracting magic birds
a ladder to upon your face,toes;
with sharing, they learn generosity.that grows, with silver bells;May you build
Feel the sun little fingers and If children live
Hangs every fruit do for you.friendship,
I count your have a goal.green
And let others the gift of cheek.
is good to heights of flowering do for othersMay you know your head and with recognition, they learn it In whose unending May you always
you.
I gently kiss If children live
treeall come true,
me belonged to to sleep,
like themselves.You, the unstable, must become a
May your wishes A part of
lay you down with approval, they learn to suddenly near,
always,In my heart, I always knewEach night I If children live You must be
and keep you the stars above.unending love.
love.shade of fear,May God bless
I'd wish upon And promised you with acceptance, they learn to falls the stalking
heaven in baby's eyes.child to loveangels from above,
If children live But when there And gleams of Longing for a
I thanked the with praise, they learn appreciation.
again.of wild affright;to keep
with grace.If children live casually they come And rushing rivers love is yours
life be touched with tolerance, they learn patience.
The shore where peace and light,A lifetime of
I prayed your
If children live Whilst you remain
Sky-touching heights of sleep
face,with encouragement, they learn confidence.the skies,latent passion lies;
each night you saw your precious
If children live Or starlings in And depths where Rest easy as
When I first feel guilty.
the seaglad surprise,
dayand playing fair.
with shame, they learn to
Like fishes in and faith and be there every Like standing tall
If children live freeThere are hope Know I will share,
feel envy.They must go springs of mysteries.the waylessons I'd need to with jealousy, they learn to
and wise,And the hidden one who guides I thought of
If children live children are remote and moonlight glow,A parent is grow.feel shy.The spirits of Of twilight shadows with laughter, smiles & tiny feet.fly and flowers
with ridicule, they learn to from me.fields of snow;
completeLike how birds If children live a helping hand Of ice-capped mountains and A house you've now made know,
themselves.haveOf wonder-land's glory, of sunny seas;all your own.things you'd want to feel sorry for you will always in these& a loving family I thought of
with pity, they learn to Just know that
My baby's eyes! There are hints happy homeand ABC's.If children live that may be,gold.give you a Like bedtime stories be apprehensive.as hard as and hills of I promised to and skinned knees,with fear, they learn to learn those lessonsOn diamond fields embrace.
Like first steps If children live And you must lie,by our first teddy bears.fight.your life.where the sunbeams Still warmed inside Like late-night bottles and with hostility, they learn to the lessons of Of tropic lands your sweet facethe things we'd share,
If children live you
die,Still mesmerized by I'd daydream of condemn.that I’d be sparing the flowers never began.of you.
with criticism, they learn to
But I know Of lands where but our love filled with thoughts If children live from the strife.of wealth untold;A journey ended My mind was before you came.and save you What wonderful hints handgrew,
In the days all this
hold;took my outstretched child, each day I we ever did,
I could do
My baby's eyes! What light they The day you As mother with And wonder what
I wish that Linn Forbesfriends.one.trampoline,on those "rougher" spots as well.5. ‘Baby’s Eyes’, by Edith Willis with make believe me my little jumps on a
And keep you, thus, from trippingbaby, is you.& hours of fun You're part of Watch grown-ups do star I fell,The world's sweetest miracle,read again & againhas just begun,Hallowe'en,the places where so lovable, too-The favorite stories Our life together Carve lanterns at I could indicatePrecious and priceless,
the floor,breath, embraced my heart.in,I wish that complete.& childhood toys across You stole my Take our biscuits have been.so deep and the refrigerator doorstart,den,everywhere that I joyThe drawings on
from the very So - let's make a
you
The giver of every night.
I loved you
be,I could take sweet-
& tuck you in my favourites, just for you….
things you're going to I wish that
so sacred and hold you tight
Readings so here’s ten of And all the
seen.life,
Lyrics from songs...
will feel to 10 Naming Ceremony do,that I have The mystery of The way it
this the Top you want to all the things
of love.
littlest things.Well, okay then. I did call All the things youa heart full Imagining even the easy for you, right?!house with possibility;I could show happiness,
you'll bring,to make this And filled the I wish that A handful of all the joy I was going spell,forever young.above-I dream of multitasking ninja, and were hoping And cast your May you stay drifted down from you, & you adopt me.
this through bleary, sleep-deprived eyes. You’re already a
Time escaping, before you came,always be sung,
of heavenOnce I adopt
Naming Ceremony, you’re probably reading While you snore, stretched out, a star-fish.
May your song A wee bit be,
Ah, yes. If you’re planning a
edge,
always be joyful,own path.
happy we will an ask.
And a half-sleep on its May your heart And follow your
I think how perfect to use, so it’s always worth
the bed,of changes shift.
parenthood,for you.
child. This could be No room in
When the winds the joy of me was meant
loved as a in our mouths,
a strong foundationMay you know A part of
a story, or poem, that you yourself And catching snowflakes
May you have dance and laugh,I always knew,
Maybe parents remember Naming stars,
always be swift,And sing and
In my heart can help.Eating pink cake,
May your feet upon a challenge,
the stars above.in the family, see if they
Butterfly wings, and light-sabres,always be busy,May you thrive
I'd wish upon a budding writer
Now it's daisy chains, and super-heroes,
May your hands peace at night,
child to love,If you have
the bed.forever young.
And sleep in Longing for a Pooh,
And space in
May you stay homeless,
my little friend.is," says Pooh.
Ask other people…
am, there's always Pooh,flew.Pooh,dragons," I said to
That's what they "Yes, those are dragons "Yes, let's," said Pooh to "That's what it think myself," said Pooh.Me.)
Finding the time…
Let's go together," says Pooh, says he."Where are you Wherever I am, there's always Pooh,haven’t named your your son/daughter’s name instead is to adapt sweat, but your Celebrant, will be on
course, be something you Be influenced by be poems or Your mountain is Van Allen O’Shea,
Kid, you’ll move mountains!And will you to be dexterous
when you step. Step with care up, of course, as you already
you’ll hike far a frightening creek, though your arms
foul. On you will you won’t want to right out of
something you’ll be quite games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against TV.
all. Fame! You’ll be famous to be won. And the magical of a guy!
staying. You’ll find the waiting.
Break or a waiting around for
Waiting for the a Yes or
to go or or a bus
useless place.wiggled roads at up his mind.
go in, should you turn to go in?lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you
not easily done.are, then, that you’ll be in in a Lurch.
to you.don’t.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be best speed.You’ll join the
Oh! The Places You’ll Go!And when things Out there things
In that case, of course, you’ll head straight a not-so-good street.
full of brains care.
what you know. And YOU are You can steer away!
Today is your here. (Oh, and if you’ve not tied I love you.
I am your favourite book, you are my race,
I am your dry towel, you are my
running leap,I am your
Carrot Sticks, you are my clown,I am your
quiet place, you are my removed, if preferred.
be opportunity to
Our Naming Ceremony becomes part of don’t worry; there are plenty
reflect your values, your ethos and into selecting readings
lot of cake. That is essential.will play an A Celebrant-Led Naming Ceremony
on the internet, this task can Can stick together, says Pooh, says he. "That's how it
2. ‘The Chosen Heart’, by Teri Harrison(perfect, for an adopted child)
do?" I said to So wherever I
Silly old dragons!"- and off they "I'm not afraid," I said to
"Let's frighten the beaks I knew.
a few-Pooh.is," said Pooh, said he.
"Just what I ("Twice what?" said Pooh to too.
do,see here.
as well, but assuming you Six’), by A.A. Milne, could be re-worked to include An easy win
in a cold It can of
TV shows, or films.Readings don’t have to day!
or Mordecai Ale percent guaranteed.)
left Balancing Act. Just never forget
you go. So be sure You’ll get mixed
you will hike. And I know Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many
the weather be you so much that scare you
it or not, Alone will be sometimes you’ll play lonely you win on
you the winning-est winner of to be scored. There are games under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind
that waiting and curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just
pot to boil, or a Better a kite or waiting.
waiting around for come, or the rain train to go
wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most race down long
will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make And if you
to stay out? Do you dare
are not marked. Some windows are for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is bump. And the chances
will fly on. You’ll be left Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen Except when you
the lead.You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the great sights!
too.as you.open air.
go down.to go down
With your head and down streets. Look’em over with
own. And you know
in your shoes.You’re off and Congratulations!
3. ‘Wishes for A Child’, by Joanna Miller
it read aloud kiss goodnight, you are my sunshine,
I am your finish line, you are my
my chocolate cake,I am your
open arms, you are my first wish,
I am your audience, you are my
giggle,I am your
& 16 can be emotions. A reading can
religion or none.important to you, make sure it
a particular faith to hear). The readings should Don’t be tempted
for their future. Oh, and eat a child, acknowledge people that
to achieve?Ceremony reading suggestions for One, but Two,
"What would I with you."
I shouted "Shoo!Me.
are," said Pooh.I saw their
river and found dragons," I said to But that's what it
twenty-two."Pooh.
4. ‘A Wee Bit of Heaven’, by Helen Steiner Rice
'cos I was Whatever I do, he wants to
fine. For the original some rhyming words
personal. For example, the ‘Us Two’ (extract from ‘Now We Are it a go.
bring people out Get creative…
songs, or quotes from way!
Today is your or Bray,
(98 and ¾ foot with your
Life’s a Great strange birds as
whatever they are.
may leak. On and on
go though the
will go though
yon, that can scare good chance you’ll meet things
Whether you like I’m afraid that
wide world watching ball will make
to be done! There are points playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything Somehow you’ll escape all
a wig with Jake or a wind to fly
to grow. Everyone is just to snow or the mail to
Waiting for a miles across weirdish
you’ll start into
in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you you win?
chin! Do you dare where the streets
Slump, you’re not in with an unpleasant
in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang say so but, sadly, it’s true that all the rest.
you’ll soon take heights.
You’ll be seeing along. You’ll start happening
brainy and footsy in the wide
you’ll want to you’re too smart
6. ‘Forever Young’, by Bob Dylan
go there."You’ll look up You’re on your
You have feet Great Places!
wedding reading! See text below.)out ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go’, by Dr. Seuss. You can hear
I am your nightlight, you are my
saving graceI am your dinner you are
new path,I am your
dandelion, you are my falling down,
I am your calm face, you are my my child,
Maryann K Cusimano, is great fun, and lines 15 the Naming Ceremony, will stir strong readings from any
scriptural passage is If you don’t ascribe to
think Great-Granny would like as a family…
wishes upon them birth of your
you are trying array of Naming
It isn't much fun and Me.
"I'm never afraid his paw and
"That's right," said Pooh to "That's what they
"As soon as We crossed the
"Let's look for sum to do,
ought to be "What's twice eleven?" I said to
"Well, that's very odd and Me.
Amaryllis, you should be come up with
7. ‘A Message for My Child’, by Jessica Wesolek
and make it support, so do give writing something can
and passions.lyrics from favourite So…get on your
Great Places!Buxbaum or Bixby Yes! You will, indeed!
up your right and remember that
up with many to your problems
and your sneakers enemies prowl. On you will
But on you
between hither and
And when you’re alone, there’s a very All Alone!don’t. Because, sometimes, they won’t.
be, with the whole do with that
There is fun Boom Bands are you!
of pants or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle
or waiting for for their hair
ring, or the snow to go or
waiting.grind on for so confused that
back and sneak you lose? How much can
8. ‘Ode on the Whole Duty of Parents’, by Frances Cornford
your elbow and to a place And when you’re in a
from the Lurch all hung up
I’m sorry to Wherever you go, you will top
whole gang and soar to high
your way up!
Just go right frequently do, to people as It’s opener there
not find any full of feet,will say, "I don’t choose to
to go.you choose.
in your head.You’re off to
make a fab the Hat’, fans should check peek-a-boo,
I am your praying hands, you are my
wide awake,I am your
way home, you are my deep,
I am your London Bridge, you are my
wiggle,I am your parent you are
humour. This poem by It’s likely, (almost guaranteed in-fact), that parts of
will happily incorporate to choose from. However, if including a
9. ‘Before You Came’, by Beverly Butcher
be.should choose (or that you best represent you
their life, and bestow good to celebrate the
through websites, think about what
With a dizzying
"If it wasn't for you," and Pooh said: "True,There's always Pooh
"I wasn't afraid," said Pooh, said he,
And I held
Pooh.
are," said Pooh, said he.
all right," said Pooh.Me.
is," said Pooh."It wasn't an easy
"I think it "Let's go together," says Pooh.
going today?" says Pooh:
There's always Pooh
baby Zebedee or of ‘Pooh’. You’ll need to
an existing text hand to offer
have penned yourself. The idea of your own interests passages from well-known books. They can be
waiting.you’re off to So…be your name
succeed?and deft. And never mix
and great tact know. You’ll get mixed
and face up may get sore
go though your go on.your pants. There are some, down the road
a lot you.
Except when they as famous can
10. ‘Children Learn What They Live’, by Dorothy Law Nolte
things you can Oh, the places you’ll go!bright places where
No! That’s not for string of pearls, or a pair Friday night or
fish to bite No or waiting the phone to
to come, or a plane The Waiting Place…for people just a break-necking pace and You can get
left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around How much can could sprain both
You will come a Slump.You’ll come down
You can get Because, sometimes, you won’t.of the best.
You’ll pass the high fliers who
You’ll be on start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew.
can happen and out of town.
And you may and your shoes About some you
the guy who’ll decide where yourself any direction You have brains
day.the knot yet, this can also ‘The Cat in lullaby, you are my
new lines,I am your
bedtime, you are my wet bath,
I am your water wings, you are my
licorice,I am your wait, you are my
wild,I am your throw in some Reading Ideasthe day. An Independent Celebrant
of secular options your beliefs – whatever they may you think you Choose readings that important role in