Many people asked to see the blessing I gave Adina at her Bat Mitzvah last weekend, so I’ve copied it below:

Since you were born, you’ve been a joy to us all,

Here is a blessing, we hope you will always recall.

May you live without fear,

And seldom shed a tear.

May you know that money should not be held dear,

Because it flows like a liquid and can always disappear.

May you have the wisdom to know what’s right,

And the courage to do it, even if it means a fight.

May you get what you give,

And know that work alone is not how to live.

May you appreciate what you’ve got,

Even when it seems like it’s not a lot.

May you appreciate each moment, one-by-one,

Because life is meant to be fun.

Each moment that passes will never be returned,

Remember to look forward, being stuck on the past is a way to get burned.

May your joyous moments be long and the sorrowful moments be quick.

May you live a long life and seldom be sick.

May you live in good health and remember to eat your peas,

Even though your favorite food is Mac n’ Cheese.

You can’t do it alone, so don’t even try,

It takes help from many if you want to fly.

Remember to celebrate the victories of your friends as well as for you,

Being happy for others multiplies your joy too.

May you remain humble and content for all of your life,

But stay proud of yourself and know you will someday be a great wife.

Don’t fear hard work, because there’s plenty of it to come,

And if you work smarter, not harder, you can march to your own drum.

Remember your sister is your sister and will be for life,

So be nice to her and your life will have less strife.

May family always be first in your heart,

May your future children bring you joy from the start.

May you have many children, they are such a treat,

Someday you’ll find out – it’s really quite neat.

May you learn to trust yourself and not care what others think,

But do keep your ears open if everyone thinks you stink.

May you learn to cook, as well as your mother,

Your dad cannot cook, so don’t look to him.  Don’t bother.

May you learn to laugh, as well as your sister,

Laughter is a cure for all problems that blister.

Live each day like it is your last,

Life goes by way to fast.

And may you be a blessing to the world as you are to us.