Today I have started to plan Esther and William’s christening and it reminded me of a poem that I wrote for my Goddaughter, Maia, when she was christened.  Maia is the daughter of Petra, my oldest friend, and being her Godmother is an honour.  I am so proud of her and of Petra for being her Mummy.  And to think when first we met we were playing with Barbies, now we have babies of our own.

For Maia

I wish happiness, for every day a smile

For Maia

I wish safety, I wish comfort, I wish care

For Maia,

I wish love, friendship and companionship

For Maia,

I promise, I will always be there

For Maia, I wish warmth and I wish shelter

I promise, Maia, I’ll help keep you safe from harm

For Maia, I wish a healthy and fulfilling life

Full of fun and excitement, peace and calm

I pray that the sun will always shine on you

You’ll never be without the things you need

I hope that you will live with kindness and laughter

I hope that from life’s lessons you will heed

I hope that you will sing just like a nightingale

I hope that you will shine brighter than any star

I hope that you’ll be graceful like a butterfly

I hope that you’ll be happy with who you are

I hope that you will grow full of ambition

I hope you’ll have the courage to chase your dreams

I hope you will stand up for what you believe in

And know things aren’t always what they seem

I hope that I will help you to love learning

I intend to read you lots and lots of books

To tell you tales of magical lands

Of fairies and pirate with hooks

I want to be with you as you grow into a child

I want to watch you and help you find your way

I will never forget the vows that I have made today

On this your christening day

Your Mum asked for a few words today

To say what you, Maia, mean to me

Well here they are for all to hear and I hope you now will see

You mean a new beginning for a friendship old as time

You mean a rainbow of hope in your Mum’s life and in mine

You make each day a brighter day

You are the start of something new

You are wonderful, you are beautiful

You are perfect because you are you!

That is the end of the poem but …

I cannot speak today only of Maia

I must speak of Petra too

For I have known this girl for 21 years

While other people have come and gone

She has been the one person who has always been there

But I can no longer call my best friend a girl

And here is the reason why …

“The moment a child is born,
the mother is also born.
She never existed before.
The woman existed, but the mother, never.
A mother is something absolutely new.”

Petra, I am so proud of you and all that you have become

Watching you with Maia means the world to me

And I am honoured to continue being part of your life with Maia

 Thank you x