I shamelessly copied this idea from Anna's 23rd birthday party this past November. :)
Dressed
up like our younger selves,we showed up wearingclown costumes, overalls,cowboy boots, wigs,
hats,
bathrobes,
pigtails,little girl hair barrettes,letter jackets—and let’s not forgetthe raccoon stuffed animalthat stole the show. Some
came in costume.Some did not.But we all laughedlooking at the photosof the little peoplewe once werebecause
life is too shortnot to embracethe whimsy and delight,the sillyand the ridiculous. It’s
been saidthat we are every agewe’ve ever been.So
we asked:What do we hopewe never losefrom those earlier selves? And
the wisdombubbled uparound the room:Talk
to anyone.Smile more.Be brave.Be
kind.Be a learner—your whole life. Be playful—not worryingwhat anyone else thinks.Embrace
joy.Curiosity.Freedom.Confidence.New discoveries.Be
your ownbiggest fan. Creative
God,who knit us together,who calls us by nameand knows us inside out—Bless
us now.Bless
the ones we were.Bless who we are.And bless usin our becoming,as
we arestill being made.
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liturgy I put together for this year's gathering:
