A Midlife Anointing

Sister, hearing the call from God to minister to you by virtue of love, faith, sacrifice, and covenant,  I place my hands upon you to anoint you in your pain.

I bless your head that you hair will not fall out from sorrow

I bless your mind, that it will function properly and not betray you

I bless your eyes that they will see true and clearly the light and darkness before them

I bless your ears that they may hear the music of your soul 

I bless your bones that they will hold up your body and feel its rhythms

I bless your feet that they will take you through all the paths that you must walk 

I bless your heart that it will beat 

I bless your face that light will shine from your countenance, and that you will know what it is to be beautiful

I bless your teeth that they will be strong against the grinding

I bless your mouth that it will be a good servant to you

I bless your hands, that they will be productive and quick, that you may work hard and fast without tiring 

I bless your soul with a will to live

I bless your ears that they will hear wisdom

I bless your blood, that it will course properly through your veins and fill you with life

I bless you with hunger for knowledge

I bless you with bravery, and courage in the face of all you learn 

I bless you with faith and trust, and also vigilance and guile

I bless you with the wisdom of women, that you may navigate danger and Patriarchy

I bless you with friends, who will carry their burdens beside you, and love you when you are weak

I bless you with the gift of homemaking, that you may always have a place to go

I bless you with sunshine and rain, with valleys and peaks 

I bless you with curiosity, that you may find joy and interest upon your journey

I bless your life with children, that you may rejoice 

I bless you with sleep, that you may rest from each day

I bless you also with sleepless nights, that you may know solitude

I bless you with delight, with fragrant moments, with summer nights

I bless you, I bless you, I bless you.

In your pain, in your joy, I bless you. 

You are blessed.

(Photo Credit: “.blessed” by tazen, license here)