A Blessingway for Me

Not to be confused with the monthly Blessingway I help host each 4th Saturday at Earth Fare. 

My beautiful friends, sister, and mom threw a Blessingway for me.  It was so perfect.  A Blessingway or Mother Blessing is a ritual to celebrate the transition into motherhood (or motherhood again).  While baby showers are fun and result in lots of presents for the baby, a Blessingway focuses on the mother.  It is usually spiritual and ceremonial. 

For my Blessingway, guests were instructed to bring a small plant that would become part of my birth garden.  Each guest wrote a word or phrase to include with their plant; words like “center” or “relax.”  The plants are meant to surround me physically during my birthing time. 

I was also given a foot bath during which each mother dropped rose petals into the water while sharing their wisdom.  The not-yet mothers present massaged my hands.  Yes, I cried. 

I received a journal filled with wise words from my guests. 

And finally, we passed around a cord–each woman wrapping it around her wrist–that was then cut to make bracelets.  My sweet friends will wear the cords and remember me until Cedar is born.  And I don’t think it will be long…

The food was exotic and yummy.  The amazing Makesha made a perfect cake and petit fours.  It was such a special time.  Thank you Carey, Abby, Noelle, and Mom for the celebration.