August 4th was the day we celebrated Connor. This was the 4th “baby welcoming” celebration in Temagami. We simply set the occasion and the rest came together. My beautiful Aunt Roz brought her spiritual shaman experience to lead the gathering and we all joined together to honour the life of our newest family member, Connor Patrick.
Each family member brought a rock to the gathering and an alter was created with the beauty of Lake Temagami. We shared our thoughts, hopes and promises with each other to honour the life of Connor.
Gramma Lizzie read aloud from Khalil Gibran’s “The Prophet”, On Children.
Grandpa marveled at the family love and support and exists for Connor already.
Kati and Pappa found a rock that had “roots” and a rock that looked like a “wing” sharing their thoughts on living big, traveling lots but always staying rooted.
Erin and Hillar shared their love for Connor’s determined personality and their joy at observing him “fit right in” (or push his way in) with his cousins.
Emilia and Annika offered colourful rocks they painted.
Uncle Mark and Aunt Candice were honour with 2 rocks and their love all the way from New Zealand.
Kai promised Connor that they were going to “play lots of sports” together.
Jeff and I worked together to write a poem which we read together.
Aunt Roz contributed with beautiful words and walking us through the moment.
At the end of the ceremony, an inuksuk stood tall, created by all the rocks we each contributed. The inuksuk stands as a symbol to Connor ; “You are on the right path”. It was really beautiful! We capped the day off with bevies, food and more food!
As I left the island I realized how synchronous life can be when you are open to it. Just one example: I forgot to build Connor’s inuksuk myself during our stay only to realize that I wasn’t meant to build one myself, instead we all contributed to building it during the ceremony. Perfect!
Each family member brought a rock to the gathering and an alter was created with the beauty of Lake Temagami. We shared our thoughts, hopes and promises with each other to honour the life of Connor.
Gramma Lizzie read aloud from Khalil Gibran’s “The Prophet”, On Children.
Grandpa marveled at the family love and support and exists for Connor already.
Kati and Pappa found a rock that had “roots” and a rock that looked like a “wing” sharing their thoughts on living big, traveling lots but always staying rooted.
Erin and Hillar shared their love for Connor’s determined personality and their joy at observing him “fit right in” (or push his way in) with his cousins.
Emilia and Annika offered colourful rocks they painted.
Uncle Mark and Aunt Candice were honour with 2 rocks and their love all the way from New Zealand.
Kai promised Connor that they were going to “play lots of sports” together.
Jeff and I worked together to write a poem which we read together.
Aunt Roz contributed with beautiful words and walking us through the moment.
At the end of the ceremony, an inuksuk stood tall, created by all the rocks we each contributed. The inuksuk stands as a symbol to Connor ; “You are on the right path”. It was really beautiful! We capped the day off with bevies, food and more food!
As I left the island I realized how synchronous life can be when you are open to it. Just one example: I forgot to build Connor’s inuksuk myself during our stay only to realize that I wasn’t meant to build one myself, instead we all contributed to building it during the ceremony. Perfect!
On Children
- Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
- p. 17
This day was perfect and it reminded me that being together and living in the moment is what life is all about.
Thank you to family for making this day perfect!
Thank you to family for making this day perfect!