Birthdays & Graduation


	Birthdays & Graduation

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Birthdays, Coming-of-age and Graduations

This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate any number of important milestones in your child's life.

Those gathered will be family and close friends, or whoever the guest of honor has chosen.

Over the preceding weeks I will speak to the child and ask them to gather together a selection of items which they felt symbolized their childhood and that they are ready to leave behind. In addition, I ask them to choose some of their possessions which they feel they want to retain, and to take on into the next stage of their life.

The ceremony tells the story - I talk about the child's earlier years, with guests having an input as desired. I talk about the transition from childhood to adolescence - what that means, the joys and challenges. I usually present an appropriate reading, chosen by the child.

The second part of the ceremony can involve personal input from family and/or friends. I emphasize letting go of ties but at the same time I create a loving environment that supports the child at this point in their life. More readings can be incorporated at this point.

To conclude I allow family and friends to express their wishes for the young person's future.

Pricing

May your spirit soar on a joyful breeze

May your wishes fly to where rainbows begin

May your dreams take root in a hopeful heart

and may success walk beside you always.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

( Written by a former child)

A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on
the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I
learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for
me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew
there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to
a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care
of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to
help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something
should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and
everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your
responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I
would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and
learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to
be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons
that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to
say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

626 East 20th Street, New York, NY 10009

phone: 212-995-0303

email: info@cityceremonies.com

The music you hear is "Once Upon a Time" performed by Ernesto Cortazar