Dear Son

A friend asked me to write something for a Baby Blessing she was attending for a friend last weekend. This is what came out. No I am not a mother, but I do feel like all the children of the world are mine to love! If you're attending a baby blessing and like this poem, please feel free to use it as long as credit is given to me, the author (Jessica Rios).


Dear Son,

As you enter this world having been tucked so far in the safety of my womb

May you embody safety by continuing to feel the infinite Love your mom and dad feel for you

You will emerge trusting us completely

And we will meet you by being loving enough to show you 'no' as often as 'yes'

When that is the Love you are asking for

This is the safe container we promise you

Precious son, while this container is created and held for you,

You will be my greatest teacher

May you feel completely free to express yourself

Exactly how you are

Whatever is true for you is perfect and beautiful

And as your mother I ask that you forgive me when

the boundaries I create are too tight or

the freedom I give you is not secure enough to fully trust me and 

make you feel safe

As a boy when you grow more aware of the world's problems, 

May you acknowledge the role men have played while standing in a place of confidence

That men are not to blame, just as women are not victims

When you're old enough to feel butterflies in your belly about a sweet young girl

May you treat her with the dignity of a flower

May you respect her just as you have been shown respect between men and women at home

And when the world suggests that it's not OK for men to feel deeply or even cry

May you stand in the power of what it means to be 'a real man'

And show them 

It actually is

Son, may you make the world your playground

Living in the Light and freedom of someone who is totally loved

Splashing in puddles and 

Zooming in rockets and

Climbing tall trees for all of the beautiful days 

Of your Life

in pure gratitude,

Mama

grandpa

Uncle Lou, 

Thank you for this reminder of Juan Rios Torres' birthday tomorrow! And while an avid writer has your attention... :0)

Since I was very young when my grandfather Juan passed on, I don't remember a lot about him except for the way his laugh pierced through what was otherwise a stern face, and how much he liked to share his lemon drop candies with me. He also passed on a set of his pens to me, knowing that even at a young age I was a writer. That meant a lot. I still love pens. 

When I think about it, the biggest impact he has had on my Life is in the sons he raised. Sons who have an unusually solid work ethic, who genuinely value their family, sons with a sense of humor that would make even the most miserable person lighten up, who keep respectful relationships with their ex'es (living or not) as an embodiment of that family priority, knowing it hurts themselves and mostly hurts the children if they were to do otherwise. Sons who have immense gratitude for your blessings, the shelter above your heads and the food on the table which is much more than you knew as kids in the Bronx. Sons who don't all believe in a religious God, but all of whom, as far as I know, are committed to something much greater than their individual selves.

Often, I shake my head questioning just why I've been blessed with such a remarkable father. And mother, but for now we are focusing on my father's side of the family. 

So thank you to all my Rios uncles -- for what you've done for your families and for who you are as men -- a precious combination of super-stern when it comes to your morals, and ridiculously funny. From someone who has always felt so blessed, in large part because my grandfather Juan Rios Torres raised his son Joey to be a man I can honestly and easily call my hero. And I know my sister and brother feel the same. 

LOTS OF LOVE,

Jessica

this is day one

Day One of this day, night one of this night. A space for me to write, like I've written with hand and pen for 30 years, now pecking keys instead. Narcissus stems poke out in sixteen directions, aglow from the light of an ivory pillar and a white taper, and when I lean in their scent reminds me no words could taste the way they smell. Pleasure is to feel. To feel is to bask in being human.

At one time I'd have wanted hundreds of people to read my words. Today if eight of you do, and through reading you feel more of the Love you are, tonight I will fly in my dreams.

An ascended master once was asked what s/he missed most about having a human experience. Without hesitation, "Sex." And then, "...the senses." And then, a laugh. Nothing really missed, just a thankful memory of pleasure, embodied.

And though I might question how anything could be missed in a state of unlimitedness, I'll rest accepting that the joy of living in Love with the senses is Heaven on Earth. In my Life's moments of feeling the most in touch with who we really ARE, there arises only one urge: to be happy. And for me, that means delighting in the senses. Seeing the world as innocent, forgiven and healed, what room is there for me to want anything else but happiness -- for myself and for e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e?

Lusa snores on her bed, shooting calm from my ears to my brain, oh favorite sound of my beloved dog snoring... deep in a dream while her mom pecks to lay these words. My joy is yours. May your joy be as you are, and were born.

Free.