What about this for a naming ceremony.....your thoughts?

[lourobert]

I posted previously about suggestions for readings for a naming ceremony. Just wondered what your thoughts were about this reading? Any feedback welcomed.



Very Special Gift

Written by S. Guevara

Once upon a time, three angels were busily working in
the miracle
factory. They were responsible for wrapping up all the
little
miracles and sending them on their way. Normally they
wrapped each
one in bright, sturdy paper with big, shiny ribbons.
They stamped it
with a delivery date and away it would go to the
parents who eagerly
awaited its arrival. Things usually ran pretty
smoothly.
One day, however, down the conveyer belt came a little
miracle that
made the angels pause. "Oh my," said the first angel
"this one's
uhm...well...different." "Yes, he is unique" said the
second
angel. "Well I think he is quite special," said the
first angel "but
I don't think he will quite fit our standard wrapping
procedures."
And the second angel added, "And we know he's special,
but will
everyone else?" "Not a problem," said the third angel
"obliviously a
special miracle deserves extra special wrapping; and
of course we'll
send him off with our most heartfelt blessings. Then
everyone will
see how special he is." "What a wonderful idea!"
replied the others.
So they searched the shelves high and low for their
finest paper,
and their most delicate ribbons.
When they were done, they stood back and admired their
work. "Beautiful!" thay all agreed. "Now for our
blessings," said
the third angel "for it is time for him to go." "I
will bless him
with innocence and happiness," said the first angel.
"And I will
bless him with strength to face the many challenges
that lie ahead"
said the second angel. "And I will bless him with an
inner beauty
that will shine on all who look upon him" said the
third angel.
Before sending him off the third angel, who was very
wise, gently
tucked a note inside.

And it said:

Dear Parents,
Today you have received a very special gift.
It may not be what you were expecting,
And you may be disappointed, angry and hurt.
But please know that he comes with many blessings,
And, while there may be pain, he will bring you much
joy
He will take you in a very difficult journey,
But you will meet many wonderful people.
He will teach you patience and understanding
And make you reach deep inside yourselves
to find a source of strength and faith you never knew
you had.
He will enrich your lives,
And will touch the hearts of all who meet him.
He may be fragile,
But he has great inner strength.
So please handle him with care,
Give him lots of attention,
Shower him with hugs and kisses,
Love him with all your heart,
And he will blossom before your eyes.
His spirit will shine like the brightest star for all
to see,
And you will know that you are truly blessed.

[alexsmum]

do you want really honest feedback?
if so, without being offensive, i think it's sentimental, schmaltzy trash.
REally.
please don't use it at a naming ceremony.please.

[Thomcat]

I don't like it either tbh, sorry.
If you're going to use something like that use the Holland one, in my humble opinion.

[Thomcat]

I'm not suggesting you use this, but if you like this sort of thing then you'll probably like this:

The Special Mother

by Erma Bombeck



Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.

This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has her own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'". She will never consider a "step" ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".

"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Do not like the proposed S Guevara reading either I am sorry to say.

[Thomcat]

Slow slow children...
Run the race.

Our special children try to pace all they do, all they feel,
to learn to live to become real.

First she tries to count to ten.
Then, she stops and tries, again.
One has learned to lift a spoon.
A task that equals men on the moon.
Another has learned to say a word.
A better sound has not been heard.
And it was he that learned to play
and work with others throughout the day.
With patience and love, he will try
to care for himself, and to get by.

Slow slow children...
How they grow!
Our special children...
What they know!
To love. To give.
For us to live.

[Thomcat]

Special Children

God gave this child to you to guide,
to love, to walk through life beside.
A little child, so full of charms,
to fill a pair of loving arms.
God picked you out because He knew
how safe His child would be with you.

[Thomcat]

My Little Angel

Sometimes angels aren't covered in light
Sometimes angels aren't always right
Sometimes angels don't have wings
But nothing compares with the love they bring

My little angel isn't very tall
My little angel hasn't said a word at all
But there's nothing like the sound I hear
When my little angel is drawing near

When my little angel comes around
I feel I can fly, and I'm leaving the ground
All I hear are the beating wings
Baby's cries, but no other things

My little angel sleeps all day
But when he's in my arms, there's nothing to say
His halo is a cow-lick of soft, golden hair
He can't work miracles, but I don't care

My little angel can't walk or talk
But time flies fast, and you race the clock
My little angel won't be little for long
But my angel will never be gone

• Author Unknown

[Thomcat]

My child has some special needs,
but that's part of God's design.
I just need to remember
that God's will is best, not mine.

My child is not a burden,
he's a blessing from above.
Sometimes we face a struggle,
but our lives are filled with love.

Put Jesus at the center,
and forget your selfish ways.
The Lord will surely bless you,
and will help you through your days.

• Beth Lohse

[alexsmum]

who writes these 'poems'?

maybe i'm out of order here because i don't have a sn child, but if i did i'm sure i would find these just as awful as i do now.

[Thomcat]

Angels Unaware

The gift I give to you will not be made of gold,
but it?s beauty is more splendid and precious to behold.

The hands of man could not defile this gift so pure and sweet
for it?s constructed by a higher being with whom man cannot compete.

The very presence of this gift can warm the human heart.
The joy it brings is heavenly, and never will depart.

I?ll give you mountains of laughter, but there?ll be some valley?s too.
I will not leave you comfortless... I?ll be right here for you.

Not everyone can have this gift. You are chosen ones...you see.
I looked upon the earth below, and saw that YOU would be.

I will give you extra strength which you will need to tarry;
and if you?ll call upon my name, your burdens I will carry.

There will be ones who don?t understand, they have not eyes to see
the beauty of this special gift; given to you, from me.

Lift up your arms, receive with joy the special gift I bear.
My chosen ones, I give to you an Angel...unaware.

• Teresa Hatfield

[Thomcat]

Perfect Beauty

The Great Sphynx of Egypt has, over the years,
Lost her nose.
Venus de Milo has no arms,
And the Liberty Bell sports a great, wide crack.
And yet each of these is considered to be a thing of beauty,
A standard of perfection.
And so it must be that we do not,
as one might imagine,
Look to perfection in order to see beauty,
But rather, we look to beauty,
And thereby see perfection.

• Joanne Green

[Thomcat]

THREE WISHES
Swaddled in love on this, your day,
A blank page in blanker book,
Any good fairies present would want a second look.
Not cause they?re short-sighted
Or can smell your nappy too
But to think about the wishes they?d gladly grant for you.

The first a wish for beauty
Not within but without.
Inside it won?t fade and there?s much less of it about.
The second for prosperity
Of spirit and of truth.
Not the worldly ruthless sort that renders you aloof.

The third will not be seen a while.
It waits until you grow.
It is what you?d wish for yourself when old enough to know.
When old enough for wisdom
And knowledge to see you through
You?ll wish upon a passing star a secret wish for you.

[Thomcat]

A Daughter

A daughter is a wonderful blessing,
A treasure from above.
She's laughter, warmth and special charm,
She's thoughtfulness and love.

A daughter brings a special joy,
That comes from deep inside.
And as she grows to adulthood,
She fills your heart with pride.

With every year that passes,
She's more special than before.
Through every stage, though every age,
You love her even more.

No words can describe the warm memories,
The pride and gratitude, too.
That comes from having a daughter,
To love and to cherish?just like you, [Name]

[Thomcat]

The [Last Name] Family

Our family is a circle
Of strength and love.
With every birth and every
Union, the circle grows.

Every joy shared adds more love.
Every crisis faced together
Makes the circle stronger.

[lourobert]

Thomcat- that you for all your posts. I wasnt too keen on the proprosed reading but everyone in the office liked it so I thought I should get a varied opinion.