This is a blessing for the scary times,
For the front lines,
For all of those who are weary,
Feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders,
Trying to hold families,
Communities,
Their own shit together.
This is a blessing that steps into the unknown,
Not ahead of us with the answers,
But right beside us,
Holding hands in the darkness.
This is a blessing forged from the beauty that springs from compost,
From the fire that makes pure gold,
From the pain that labours new life.
This is a blessing that can't take away suffering,
Or even quell fears,
But sits with them,
Silently,
Steadily.
This is a blessing of solidarity,
For all those without shelter,
With fear for their next meal or their next breath.
This is a blessing that has made frenemies with anxiety and panic,
Who has learned to look them in the eye with the courage built on delicate security that life has always been fragile,
And always,
Always resilient.
This is a blessing for the sleepless nights,
The long,
Worried days,
The cagey children,
For the ones who carry on,
And for the ones who keep us carrying on.
This is a blessing that knows no boundaries,
Which cannot be isolated,
And which spreads infectious hope,
Tenacious joy,
And love's tender,
Firm embrace.
This is a blessing for the days to come.
It is a blessing for this moment,
Here and now.
So close your eyes,
And for one deep breath,
Breathe in deep gratitude,
And send out all the light and love you can gather.
May it find the heart who needs it most right now,
And may it multiply at the rate of love,
And may you rest in this deep breath,
Knowing you are always held in the arms of a love that has already cast out fear.
