Associate Minister Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

It's been lovely to be on vacation these last few days, and very good to be back at UUCF too. While I was away, my sister and her family came to visit from Miami - first time in DC. I was so honored to lead a dedication ceremony for my nephew Xander in our backyard with our whole family gathered around. To be there in that special and sacred way for our precious little guy - well, it was pretty wonderful. I want to share with you the closing blessing we all read, taking turns, and also to tell you a little about my family who was there. Please know this blessing is for each one of you too:

A Celtic Blessing

"May the blessing of the light be with you always,"

Xander's 10-year-old sister, Grace, reads this. Right now she's at that tender age where sometimes she seems so grown up and sometimes still a little kid. But I remember when she was as little as her brother, and littler still. It's amazing to hear her read today with such poise ... time shimmers and blurs.

"Light without and light within."

Our cousin Ivan reads this. He has a learning disability and reading is challenging for him, so he's practiced a lot. Ivan is always the friendliest person at the party, great at making everyone feel at home and relaxed. I want him to feel how much we all love him right now.

"May the sun shine upon you and warm your heart
Until it glows like a great fire,
So that others may feel the warmth of it.
And may the light of your eyes
Shine like two candles in a window at night
Bidding the wanderer to come in out of the dark and the cold."

Doug and Judy, our dear cousins and Ivan's parents, read this. They live in Kensington, MD, and have pretty much adopted my husband, John, and me since we moved here - lucky us! They have known a lot of sorrow and difficulty in their lives but they are still two of the most joyful, kind and decent spirits I have ever met.

"And may the blessings of the rain be upon you,
The sweet and tender rain."

My old friends Kate and Greg speak these words. Over the years they have become our heart-family and we are blessed by their deep friendship.

"May it fall upon your spirit
As when flowers spring up and fragrance fills the air."

John reads this, and that's when I start to get a little misty. We so rarely speak in this way with one another, any of us - allowing ourselves to be caught up in the rhythms of poetic speech, ritual blessing. Allowing it to feel a little awkward and putting it out there anyway. Letting our hidden depths swim up to the surface where we might see them in one another's eyes.
 
"And may the blessings of the great rain
Wash you clean and fair,"

And these words are spoken by my dad, my one and only wonderful dad, who has been sick on and off with serious lung stuff. I wish, I wish, I wish for him to be washed clean and healthy. And so grateful he and my mom were able to come for this day.
 
"And may the storms always leave you stronger
And more beautiful."

My mom speaks these words - my mom, who is so sweet and strong herself, my mom who never makes a big deal of things but manages to accomplish so much with grace and good humor.

"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."

***
I spoke these last words with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat. How often do we feel how deeply life blesses us, with joy and sorrow truly intertwined? Don't rush by those moments. Breathe them in. This prayer is for you too, radiant dear ones.

See you in church,
Laura