Reunion Kickoff - Prayer ...

When asked to deliver the opening prayer for our reunion, I approached the task considering our diverse religious beliefs. The goal was to create an inclusive moment of reflection that would resonate with everyone present, regardless of their faith or spiritual practice. In crafting a universal prayer, I focused on five essential elements that bind us together : 1/Heritage - Honoring our shared beginnings and the journey that brought us here, 2/Unity - Celebrating the bonds that have kept us connected through the years, 3/Gratitude - Acknowledging our collective achievements and individual growth,4/Aspiration - Sharing hopes for our continued success and future endeavors, 5/Celebration - Blessing this gathering and the memories we'll create together. With these themes in mind, I offered the following prayer:

"Dear Universal Spirit, We gather here today in humble gratitude, standing together as the Class of 1985 of Asoka Secondary School where our dreams took flight . Our hearts are full as we remember the sacred journey we began together. We give thanks for the love of our parents and family, the wisdom of our teachers and the strength of our friendships including our departed classmates, the foundation of knowledge that has carried us through life's many paths,and the experiences that shaped us. We are grateful for this precious moment of reunion, for the chance to reconnect again, to share our stories, and strengthen the bonds that time and distance cannot break. Thank you for guiding each of us through our diverse journeys and bringing us back together on this special day. May this gathering renew our spirits, refresh our connections, and remind us of the enduring power of friendship and shared experiences. As we continue our life's journey, bless us with wisdom to serve our communities, strength to support one another, and grace to carry forward the values we learned at Asoka Secondary School. For these blessings and for all that is yet to come, we are truly thankful."

All that remained to be said was : "Let the party begin ..."