Becoming an Elder

A complete ceremony to honor becoming a grandparent, either with the new family member’s parents and new grandchild present or from a distance

“Shine to me, stars. / There’s too much light.”

“My knees creak and twinge / as I bend to bless”

“Jacob gave his blessings, / although some say he faltered”

“Blessed are You, God, who turns the hearts of parents toward children”

“Your birthright renews every breath”

“I imagine a field where they gather: those / grandmothers”

“Resist the call to silence and beat your big drum”

Poem honoring a grandmother’s story of survival