Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

You are my little miracle. Through your birth I have been transformed.

I have three wishes for you:

One is that you find your own spiritual path, and may it always guide you and keep you happy, as mine has led me to this very special moment. If you are one with your own Self you will always be able to find joy in your life, no matter what difficulties you may encounter.

The other is that you are surrounded by Love. Some parents wish for their children to become doctors or lawyers, wanting a better life for them. No matter what you may become - doctor, lawyer, assembly line worker, or grocery bagger – my hope for you is to be always surrounded by those you love most, and who love you as much. If you are good natured, kind of heart, true of spirit, respectful of nature and all around you, you will be surrounded by love, and will make me very proud.

Most of all, may you find your Soul Mate, as I have in your mother. I hope more than anything else, that you may find the joy of a love as wonderful as we have together. Though life may sometimes seem to be a struggle, the love that is shared between us makes all of those struggles seem easy to overcome, because in the end we will always have each other. There is no greater joy than being able to share your life with someone that you feel is a part of your Self.

I promise to be there for you always, to be the best Dady, teacher, guide, counselor, friend that I possibly can.

We all want our baby’s to be blessed.

It is a tradition in cultures and religions across the globe to welcome a child into the world with a formal blessing ceremony. But if you feel disconnected from your faith tradition, or want to welcome baby in a non-traditional ceremony, you may feel confused about how to go about it.

Many of the couple’s I have married have asked me to later bless their newborns or toddlers.We often create very personal and meaningful ceremonies that involves key family members.

The ceremony becomes a chance for people to come meet the baby and celebrate the birth of the newest angel.

It is also a chance to offer a sacred blessing for the new family that is born on the day you baby comes into the world.

In the throes of labor, delivering your baby is sometimes a frantic experience. If you are says "Oh God" it is usually because of the last contraction.

Creating a blessing ceremony is a chance to take a deep breath and acknowledge ... we made it. We came through the pregnancy and delivery ... we have a baby! Now, our next step in family life can begin.

Some of the elements of a baby blessing can include:

• Gathering the people you love together.
• Appointing God parents officially or informally.
• Giving grandparents and siblings a chance to bless the baby.
• Sacred vows of parenthood.
• Readings
• Rituals and prayers from your faith background
• Naming ceremony

We honor the very special role that you will play in raising your little one. Most importantly, we set forth the intention not just to welcome the baby, but to fully honor all of who he or she is meant to become … to nourish the divine spirit within her/him … and to ensure that he/she is guided by the love and helping hands of his parents, family, friends and community.