Irene and Will
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 and Path
You may house their bodies but not their souls
For their souls dwell in the house of the Creator and are Its Essence
- Kahlil Gibran
Irene Swain made the most beautiful, perfect, inclusive, spiritual ceremony for our little one. She spoke with me to understand my hopes for the ceremony and delivered above and beyond. We had done a traditional baptism at a church with our first child, more so to appease family. My husband and I are spiritual in our own ways and didn't actually belong to that church so it felt off. I knew with my second child I wanted something that honored her life and spirit and love, but needed it to not be the typical church baptism. Luckily I found Irene, who told me about her Naming Ceremony approach. I wish I could post the ceremony she wrote here because it was spiritually affirming, but also inclusive to all faiths and perspectives. We got to personalize it with every member of my family speaking and creating a necklace for my daughters to remember the moment and gods love as embodied through all of us. I recommend working with Irene if you get the chance, she is next level.
Jocelyn