It was a joy to help celebrate Greta Dershimer on her 90th birthday and to gather with friends and loved ones in our church’s beautiful gardens. Happy Birthday, Greta! Several people asked me to share the blessing I offered Greta that day. It is posted below.
Friends, please know that your church family and ministers are grateful to be included as you mark significant moments and milestones in your life. We invite you to ask us to be part of a blessing or ritual around any rite of passage or event that you would like to have honored.
In faith and with love,
Rev. Leia
A Blessing for Greta
September 2021
This blessing is for Greta in celebration of her ninetieth trip around the sun—
As the leaves start to change color and the sky is bright September blue,
Greta, we honor you and the start of your ninetieth autumn.
What an amazing life you have lived thus far…
Daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother… and more.
May you continued to be blessed by the connection with and love of your family.
You love and have loved your beloveds well. You have been a nurturer as well as a mentor, guide, confidant, and friend. May you continue to shower your love on others and feel surrounded and supported by their love in return. May you feel connected with the larger love that sustains us all.
As a professional educator, your commitment to excellence, equity, and lifelong learning is an inspiration. You have encouraged generations of innovative thinkers and like a pebble tossed
in a pond, your lasting influence circles on and on— more than you will ever see or know.
May you, deep in your bones, know that your work in the world has made a difference.
As a singer and lover of music you have delighted us with the songs in your heart.
You have used your voice to sing and to speak truth to power.
We know you as a wise, courageous, determined, and committed soul.
May you continue to live your faith and values out loud, every day.
May the songs in your heart continue to give you inspiration and strength for all your days.
As a listener and a thinker, you have shown us through the years the importance of being willing
to challenge ourselves—to keep trying new things, to keep growing, changing, and adapting.
May your love of learning be with you always and may you keep finding joy in new experiences.
You are an advocate of those on society’s margins and your fierce love is an inspiration.
You have helped create and sustain caring circles in challenging places and times.
You have made and still are making an impact about what matters most.
May you continued to heed the call of compassion and justice making.
Greta, may your joyous smile, contagious laughter, playful spirit continue
to feed your soul every day. As we celebrate you and all you are,
May you feel blessed by friends and family alike and know how much you are loved.
Bless you on this celebration of your birth and in celebration of your life, well-lived.
Amen and Blessed Be.