Pilgrim Cottage: Ground Breaking

Today was May 6 and we were ready to break ground.


After breakfast, we made our way to the lot to see that our friends were already gathered, several with cameras in hand.  The Bakers, the Ferris', the Schmidts and the Edmonds were there to wish us well.  Our youngest son's best friend, David, got up earlier than usual to join the celebration.

The Reverend Fred Edmonds, who had written a prayer especially for the occasion, assembled us in a circle and spoke his eloquent prayer:


"Dear God, source of absolute and unconditional love for every human being who walks the face of this earth… your earth… the earth upon which we stand today with a great hope in our hearts that this home, about to be built, will be a strong and abiding shelter for all who dwell therein… a home where kindness and gentleness and peace will be imbedded deeply in the souls of those who live here.  We ask not that in this home no harsh words ever be spoken… for we know, very well, who we are… but we do ask that forgiveness, like a mighty wind, blow through all the windows, billow out all the curtains of this house and never, ever leave, but remain here forever.

We pray, O God, that the hospitality of Jesus Christ might be offered at the front door of this home, and the back door of this home and in every nook and cranny throughout this house, wherever people gather seeking to love and be loved… may the presence of Christ be there.  May there be no person turned away from this home’s portal… no matter who they, nor from whence they have come.  May children be embraced here.  May disabled people be respected here.  May old people be not condescended to here.  May all who are different and unable to fit in much of anywhere else in our culture find here an extraordinary welcome.   May the love of Christ be in this place, O God… and may the love of Christ fill the heart of Sandra and fill the heart of John as they walk upon these floors seeking to be the people you have called them to be.

Rest your hand, O God, upon Dean, the builder, and all those who work with him… keep them safe in their tasks… give them laughter to lift their spirits… give them kindness in their relationships with one another… give them a joyful heart in building this home for two very grateful people.  And accept our gratitude, O God, this day… not just for the beauty of this place, special though that may be… not just for the quality of home that Dean and these men always build, special though that may be… but accept our gratitude for all things that you have given to us… the flowers and the trees and people we love and people who love us.  None of this have we earned, O God, but here we are… blessed with such good fortune.  Thank you.

And now, may your blessing rest upon us, today and always.  Amen."

John and I were deeply touched by Fred's prayer.  With tears in my eyes, I took the shovel and turned the dirt...I mean the sand.  Everyone assembled did, as well, with David taking his turn representing the next generation.  We all hugged and returned to the warmth of our respective homes/cottages giving way to the excavators who followed us.