These are four books that are great resources for anyone who is responsible for doing any kind of speech or presentation at your reunion.
Bite-sized Prayers: Non-Denominational Morsels to Feed Your Soul, by Norma-Jean Strickland (Balboa Press, 2011, 96 pages, soft cover), combines photographs with one-word prayers to simplify the complex nature of human emotions that accompany a desire to understand the deeper mysteries of life. The concepts in the book are universal and transcend any cultural or ethnic differences that speak to our shared human condition One-word prayers break down the complexities found in long verses and prayers.
Strickland created the book Bite-Sized Prayers to take the mystery out of prayer as she guides children and parents to the realization that prayer doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective; it just has to come from the heart. It seems to us to be a perfect jumping off point for writing a tribute or speech for your reunion. Bite-sized ideas are easier to deal with! In addition to the book, the author hosts a blog at http://bite-sizedprayers.com/blog/
Family Celebrations: Prayers, Poems, and Toasts for Every Occasion by June Cotner, (1999, Andrews McMeel Publishing, Hardcover, 224 pages; $16.95).
The prayers, poems, and toasts in Family Celebrations can be used by any family members to celebrate any aspect of your reunion. Selections are spiritually inspiring, uplifting, and fitting for any tradition. Entries are from both contemporary and classic authors and divided into thematic sections including one for family reunions.
Graces by June Cotner, (1994, Harper San Francisco; Hardcover, 208 pages; $18).
Saying grace will bring inspiration to your meals and special gatherings. Seeing the need for such inspiration at her family’s table, June Cotner compiled a notebook of poems, prayers, and songs she solicited from family, friends, ministers and even strangers. She turned her family’s well-worn notebook into this elegantly packaged edition. Whether you need something as exotic as a Sanskrit Salutation to the Dawn, Gaelic Blessings or ancient Chinese Prayer or some down to earth words from closer to home, Graces offers fitting words for every occasion. Multicultural blessings make it easy to share wisdom and insight. Bring spiritual focus to your meals by bringing Graces to your table.
House Blessings
Editor: June Cotner (2005, Hardcover (Cloth), 164 pages, Becker & Mayer, $15.95).
The home is where we gather to create memories with family and friends and to find comfort and solace for ourselves. It has long been the center of our family lives. House Blessings is a moving collection of interfaith prayers, poems, and toasts that speak to the experiences we share in turning our houses into our homes. This book offers a reading for every occasion, room housewarming to holiday celebration, to raising a family, gems of wisdom and inspirational selections celebrate all our most treasured moments at home.
