a blessing
A blessing for a friend at mid-life. For the closing of a time, as the sun gently sets on the morning of your life…
Blessed are you, the man of vision, who takes away to far away plains, under skies foreign to him, and makes a life anew, under the stars and eyes of others afraid to make the leap.
Blessed are you, the man who seeks true friendship, who bears witness to the lives of others, who can see and love the heavenly angels and whirling devils that reside in those men’s hearts, just as they do in his own.
Blessed are you, the man who triumphs over hardship with love. Who ascends the follies of pettiness, deceit, and cruelty - with kindness, generosity and compassion. Who takes care of others as they then yearn to take care of him.
Blessed are you, who seeks to know the heart of love, who places his arm around the troubled friend, leans towards the difficult place, speaks calmly in the hard conversation.
Blessed are you, the man who is the envy of other men, for his love and warmth and gentle heart brings forth a companionship they would gladly give their lives to experience.
Blessed are you, the man who is watched on from afar by his closest and dearest companions, those that lay awake thinking of that mans kindnesses, his words and his boundless spirit.
Blessed are you, the man who has discovered that most wild and rare of things, a woman that truly loves him, for he can know no truer blessing than this for all eternity.
Blessed are you to watch the sun rise and the day set on your 40th year. To see the moon cast its last glow on the morning of your life and to see the sun rise anew to light its afternoon.
And as the sun begins to rise on the afternoon of your life…
May you know your own soul; and
May it lead you gently towards your dreams.
May those dreams always be in places of truth and friendship; and
May you always be among those that love you deeply.
May you always know that in moments of confusion or delay, there is a direction for you.
May your sorrows be well known and well felt; and
May they bless you wisdom and compassion.
May your body stay strong; and
May your heart stay true.
May you treasure what you have and know recognition is the true gift itself.
May you always pursue your life with love and tenderness,
for in all moments they will bring you home,
to the calm place of your own belonging.