Celtic Blessing On Leaving Home

My son left home this morning. Packed his car to the ceiling and stuffed a grocery bag full of carrots, peanut butter, bread and energy bars into a left over hole. He’s left home before—two years in Northern Ireland a few years ago. As with most men at age 23, this will probably, hopefully, be his last time leaving home.He’s headed to Massachusetts to discover adventure and his future. I prayed this blessing for him this morning from To Bless the Space Between Us, A Book of Blessings by John O’Donohue.

Every time you leave home,Another road takes youInto a world you were never in.New strangers on other paths await,New places that have never seen youWill startle a little at your entry.Old places that know you wellWill pretend nothingChanged since your last visit.When you travel, you find yourselfAlone in a different way,More attentive nowTo the self you bring along,Your more subtle eye watchingYou abroad; and how what meets youTouches that part of the heart

That lies low at home.

Well…I’ll let you find the rest of the blessing hidden amidst many more daily blessings and experiences in To Bless the Space Between Us.Go forth and conquer, Jonathan. Our prayers and blessings go with you.

In Him together, Mom

Four down and two to go. My nest will become empty someday.