Writing, Parenting, and Working in the Mess: Authentic Spirituality and Social Justice

S. and I went on a mini-camping trip this weekend. Before we left, I was feeling at the end of my rope again. S's adoption ceremony and party were magnificent, but the aftermath was colored by family drama, exhaustion, and the looming end of summer. For the first hour at our campsite, I was outright cruel to S., snapping commands at her, blaming her for a mistake in our attempt to put together the tent, forcing her to go on a hike she didn't want to take. As she begrudgingly followed me into the woods, though, I suddenly realized how awful I was being. I turned to her, picked up the dog and rubbed his head. "I'm being a total bitch," I said. "I haven't gotten enough exercise or sleep lately, and I'm frustrated by how fast the summer is going. I'm so sorry. I'm going to try to do better." "You _were_ being a bitch," she answered. "But it's OK." I put the dog down then, and we hiked for awhile longer in silence, and ...

S. and I had a wonderful adoption party this past weekend. The adoption isn't final, but we didn't want to wait. The party included visits from one of S's horse friends (and she rode the horse in her fancy pink dress!), about 90 people who came to wish us well, and lots of delicious food. But most importantly, it included a family blessing ritual, part of which we wrote ourselves, and part of which was written by S's chosen godparents, P and J. Enjoy! WELCOME ARGIE (says something like): Welcome to our celebration. This is a ritual to bless our new family. We are going to start with one of S’s favorite bible verses, Psalm 23. We would like you to recite it with us if you know it. We are reciting the old-fashioned version (King James). COMMUNAL READING/OPENING PRAYER: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in the green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul, he guideth me in t...