This prayer came to me at 3:30 in the morning a week or so ago…. along with the date March 7th. I got up and wrote it down. I think it is meant for the birthday of a loved one who has passed, but would also fit for the anniversary of their death. A simple ritual is to have a meal in their honor. Drink and eat what they loved when they were alive.
Light a candle.
Enjoy.
Cry.
Remember.
Feel love.
Pray.
Today I celebrate the life you lived and the blessing that you were to me during your time on Earth. I remember you. I feel you. I know you exist in my heart and elsewhere. I sip your favorite drink and taste the food you loved, the simple pleasures that are no longer yours, exchanged for the joy of being Home, knowing Truth, seeing all. I love you. Today, in your honor, I celebrate Life.Candle photo from mbeechey on Imgfave
thank you for the beautiful post…a touching,simple yet profound ritual.
Thanks for reading, Heidi, and taking time to comment. <3
Thank you for this wonderful prayer/ritual. March 7th is a day of great loss for my family. We spent the day together and read this prayer several times that day. Thank you for lifting us up!
Thank you for posting this prayer. I will use it to celebrate my husbands birthday on August 19, for he would of been 54. Family and friends will light a candle promptly at 3 pm thru-out Florida were we lived at the time of his passing and also in MA where we grew up. Followed by your prayer and releasing of 54 balloons as a tribute to Steve. Thanks again
I am glad that you found this useful, Darlene. That is a beautiful ritual that you have created. Blessings to you and your family.
Very meaningful and touching! The words are so appropriate. Thanks for sharing the significant prayer.
Thank you for the perfect words of prayer for my loved one on the first passing of his birthday.
Best wish, keep pen to paper you have a gift.
Glad you found it when it was helpful. Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. <3
Thank you for that wonderful prayer. I am a mother who lost a daughter and celebrating her today, July 14, 2014 and in the hands of our Lord last February 12, 2006. Keep writing a very inspiring prayer.
I mean celebrating and commemorating her birthday today, July 14, 2014.
I found your prayer today, it’s so lovely. I lost my mother in September, today would have been her100th Birthday. I miss her so much and saying your prayer helped me celebrate her life today. Thank you!
I’m glad, Gay. Blessings to you.
I also found this poem today….tomorrow would have been my friend’s deceased son’s 28th birthday. This is his first birthday since his passing. I will share these beautiful words with her tonight. Thank-you for sharing them with us!
Isabelle, thank you for commenting, and sharing. My love and blessings to your friend.
I was searching the net for a prayer for my deceased son. he died of cancer at the age of 12 last Feb. 09, 2011. It is his birthday on Feb. 16 and I found this prayer apt for the occasion. It is short but very meaningful and touching.
Thank you so much for sharing this prayer. God bless
I am so sorry for your loss Jun. God bless you too.
I found you poem today and it is what I needed. Today would have been my daughter’s 23rd birthday. Thank you for the words. God bless you.
My love to you, Vickie.
Tonight, as I sat here at my computer searhing for suggestions on how my family and I can celebrate my deceased brother’s birthday, I came across your ritual/prayer first. What an awesome way to celebrate his 27th birthday, which is March 7. Blessings to you Lisa. This truly has touched my heart.
Blessings to you too, Sharronda. I’m sorry you lost him so young.
Thank you for this very fitting birthday wish & prayer that i will use for my niece who would have celebrated her 42nd year of life today. She passed away just 2 weeks ago in an untimely manner that the whole family & friends are still grieving up to now. It’s still so painful to bear but we will celebrate it with a sort of a family party & gatherings and this prayer will at least sooth our aching heart. Thank you for this post. God Bless.
So sorry to hear that, Rosie. Love and comfort to you all.
Thank you for your prayer. My daughter was 27 when she was killed in a car accident in Logos Nigeria June 20, 2011. Her birthday is Wednesday, April 20th., since her accident we still celebrate her birthday singing happy birthday & releasing balloons as we send her birthday kisses. This year I wanted to celebrate her birthday with a dinner with our family & her friends along with ice cream & cake. As I was searching for suggestions I came across your prayer & read some of the responses. I plan to read your prayer during our celebration. I know it will be five years in June it is still difficult to believe she is not here with us, it still hurts & we still cry about her not being here even though she is now living in heaven. Thank you! God’s grace & blessings for you & your family.
I love your prayer/poem. I lost my 19 year old son this past June and his 20th birthday is this Friday. Family and friends are gathering at the cemetery to release balloons to Heaven for my Brady. I am struggling this week with his birthday approaching and I read your prayer and think it is perfect. I plan to read it Friday before we release our balloons.
Thank You !
I am so sorry you are going through this, Jennifer. My thoughts are with you tomorrow. May Peace reveal itself a little more each day.
What a lovely birthday prayer. My Grandmother passed away on March 13, 2013 and today (June 6) is her birthday. We all miss her. This prayer is so appropriate and heart-warming. Thank you for sharing! I will share with my family and friends in celebration of my beloved Grandmother’s life while with us…thank you.
Blessings, Alana. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
A simple yet beautiful prayer, touching too. Lost my father 23 years go in a shooting accident, tomorrow would have been his 63rd birthday. We truly missed him. I would like to share this with my siblings. It’s a blessing I came across this prayer on the internet. Thanks a lot Lisa, more blessings to come way for you have touched a lot of hearts already. “,)
Peace and blessings, Jonah.
Thank you for this. I am going to share it on Facebook (I will mention your name/website). Today is my brother-in-law’s first birthday since his passing last year. This is a perfect prayer/poem.
Thanks Paula. And so sorry for your loss.
Thank you so much for your prayer. I was looking for suggestions on how to remember my son’s 1st birthday, August 12, since his passing last month, July 1st, 2013. He was 21 and died in a traffic accident. We are still trying to comprehend his passing and want to mark the day in a meaningful way. Your prayer brings me comfort and I think will be helpful for our family. Thank you.
So sorry, Debbie. That is so tragic. May peace be yours.
Lovely prayer,I have been very touch by this prayer,my husband just passed away about 6months ago and I was not sure how to celebrate his birthday this coming month, its been very hard to reach out to say words on whats happen to our family,I am missing him alot, and its been hard to express my feelings, thank you for this prayer
I am sorry to hear of your loss, Sonia. Blessings.
I lost my fiancee back in May. Thanks so much for the perfect poem to match my feelings.
I’m sorry to hear that, Jim. Thanks for stopping to comment. May Peace reveal itself and Joy be yours.
Thank you Lisa. I was searching too for something to do for mum who will be 100th two weeks later. Bless & thank you for the prayer, bringing me peace to do a simple gathering with my clan for mum. She has gone home to our Lord on 28 Jun 2013.
Thanks for stopping to comment, Evelyn. Many blessings to you too.
Thank you Lisa for the poem it feels so right in many ways, 2 days ago was my big sister Alys birthday, she would have been 27. It’s the first since her sudden passing in January which still isn’t totally resolved so has been a hard week for the family (well, harder than usual). I will share this with mum and hopefully it will give her some comfort, as we still feel the sting and shock of the loss as if it were yesterday. Thankyou
xx
I love this! My daughters birthday is the 22nd of Nov, shes been gone nine years. I was wondering if I could use this in a memorial we always put im our local paper. I would give you credit of course. Thank you!
I’m sorry to hear about your daughter, Teresa. And of course you may use it. Thanks for asking.
Thank you so much! God bless! <3
I forgot to mention this is what we always do for Amandas birthday. We go to a mexican restaurant and my other daughter and I share the meal Amanda loved. This is perfect for us. Thanks again for sharing.
My partner and the father of my 2 year old passed tragically in a motor accident last year on the 19/10/12. Today he would have been celebrating his 43rd birthday. I would like to thank you Lisa for this awesome prayer, I feel blessed. I miss him so much :'(
Sending love to you. I hope you feel hugged from Beyond.
Thank you for this beautiful prayer. My mom passed away last year, and today is her birthday. Lucky I found your prayer,Lisa and I hope I can use it to honor her. God bless you.
Blessings to you too.
thank you so much for putting these emotiosn to words… i am forever in your debt.
Those words are perfect. April 5, 2014 will mark 100 years since my beloved dad was born. I’ve been looking for ways to honor him. I’m thinking about doing a pass-it-on type of thing, helping people, giving large tips, etc. and handing the person a small note saying they were helped in memory of a wonderful parent, asking them to help others in honor those those they love.
That is the sweetest idea, Nancy. <3
Thank you for sharing this. It is just what I was looking for. My Grandmama passed away on April 3, 2013, murdered at the hands of her own Son. She would have turned 80 years young on February 6, 2014. My Aunt and I are putting together a small, intimate graveside balloon release and family luncheon in her honor and your poem is perfect for this gathering.
Much love to you, Sherry.
Thanks so much for all the great advice. It’s my sisters birthday today and I wanted to do something special and I thought maybe I was weird for wanted to celebrate/honor her birthday. She passed away 6 months ago from cancer at age 47 and we are all still grieving tremendously
I’m so sorry Rhonda. Much love to you.
Hey Lisa, great prayer.
It is similar to one that I wrote a few years ago when I lost my dad and after reading yours, I was moved by some of your words and went back and “tweaked” a few words from mine (and maybe “borrowed” a couple of words from yours) to come up with a new prayer for my dad.
———————————————————————————–
To my dad on his birthday…
Happy Birthday Dad! Today we celebrate you and the life you lived.
As we recall the stories and memories of you with our family and friends,
The blessings and wisdom you bestowed, during your time here with us.
We will enjoy some laughter, endure some sorrow, and share some prayers.
We know that you are still with us and you will forever live on in our hearts.
We love you, we miss you, we honor you, and we will always remember you.
Some of the simple pleasures in life that are no longer yours,
Things that you wholeheartedly exchanged for the Joy of returning Home,
To be with the Lord, know His Truth, and feel His Peace and Everlasting Love.
Today, we celebrate you Dad, and wish you a Happy Birthday.
Your always loving son,
John-John
—————————————————————————————
beautiful prayer..is it ok if i will use it for a friend?ijust change the word Dad into the name of a friend.Thank you so much.God bless you with so much.
Of course. Many blessings.
Thank you so much, today is my brothers birthday and wanted to do something special its been 4 yrs. since he pass in September 2010. been having mass said for him every year and even on his anniversary, He was 61.,
again I thank you so much for this. God Bless
My son Mark died unexpectedly on July 28, 2014. He was 29 years old. His 30th birthday is coming up on October 10, 2014. Your poem/prayer touched my heart. I’m not sure how I’m going to use it but I will. Thank you for sharing it!
Hello, I believe this prayer was meant for me, specifically. I am reading this on my Fathers Birthday, which is today November 7th, 2014. He’s been on my mind and in my heart constantly since his passing 13 months ago. My birthday is March 7th. That makes this our birthday anniversary!!
Thank you so much for publishing. God Bless you!!
Oh, God bless you too, Jeffrey.
This is simply a beautiful prayer that touches my heart deeply!! I lost my brother just over four years ago (and sadly dad not long after) & it is coming up to his birthday on the 12th of December where he would have turned 48 so will honour him with this prayer. Thank you so much for sharing.
Heart felt best wishes & Kind regards,
Asad Salem
You’re welcome, Asad. Blessings.
I lost my spouse to breast cancer this past December and will be celebrating what would have been her 51st Birthday tomorrow. Thank you for sharing this wonderful and meaningful poem. It is so perfect.
I am a yoga instructor and a reiki second degree practitioner.My deseased father 100th birth anniversary made me feel proud of him.I decided to celebrate it with all the familly and I found the prayer very useful and inspiring.Thanks…God bless.
Thank you so much for this beautiful prayer. I lost a dear friend of mine to a drunk driver in November and her birthday would have been today. I posted this on her Facebook page (credited to you, of course).
Thank you, Caitlin. I’m sorry for your tragic loss. Blessings.
What a beautiful poem which I will cherish forever. I didn’t know what to do to honor my husband on his 55th birthday, May 10th, which is also Mother’s Day. I will do exactly that, honor the great man and father he was. He will be forever in my heart, I miss him every minute of everyday and will always honor.
Thank you Lisa for making this Mother’s Day and his birthday special. Take care.
Denise
Thank you for your beautiful words. I am at a loss. Since 2010, my family has been plagued with illness and death. 2010 – my father to leukemia (although he had been sick and undiagnosed since 2007), 2011 – my wonderful brother-in-law (51 years old and died of cancer) who I miss dearly, my mother-in-law who also died of cancer, 2012 – my uncle on my husband’s side (lung cancer, a dear man) and my uncle’s wife was diagnosed with Alzheimers, my developmentally disabled non-verbal brother had a bowel obstruction and the next week my mother broke her leg and she was 6 hours away, 2013 – many cousins and my dear mother passed away November 29th, 2014 – my dear oldest son passed away on Dec 23rd (the same day as my youngest granddaughter’s first birthday). My son passed away from complications of a blood disorder and enlarged heart. My son’s 38th birthday is May 27th, next week. I have been searching for something and your words are fitting.
Thank you so much, Lisa. You have no idea how much this is helping.
Thank you for this ritual and prayer Lisa. My husband died on March 7, 2011 and March 7, 2012 was the first anniversary of his death and I really wasn’t doing well and did not know how to honor him. Today, 5/27 is his birthday, and I found your page here – it works for me for both days and O appreciate your sharing of it. It matches many of my feelings perfectly.
thank you for posting this beautiful ritual and prayer you made.I will use it today for my friend’s bday. God bless you with so much.
After I read this I knew this would be perfect to say on my Monica’s 21st birthday. She passed away 6yrs ago from cancer. I miss her everyday. I wanted to say something really special for her because it is the day she would have become a woman. All she ever use to say is how she could’t wait to turn 16. To think she would have been 21 on November 9. I smile and cry with tears of joy.
Thank you so much for these words.
11/06/15
After I read this I knew this would be perfect to say on my Monica’s 21st birthday. She passed away 6yrs ago from cancer. I miss her everyday. I wanted to say something really special for her because it is the day she would have become a woman. All she ever use to say is how she could’t wait to turn 16. To think she would have been 21 on November 9. I smile and cry with tears of joy.
Thank you so much for these words.
11/06/15
Sending love and hugs Cassandra.
Our 30 year old son passed away on 2/12/15 after a 2-1/2 year battle with cancer. His birthday is coming up on 1/8/16, his first birthday after his death. My heart is so heavy with Christmas this week and his birthday coming up. I’ve been trying to think of something to do or say to honor him on that day. This poem is perfect. Thank you.
Love and peace to you, Terry.
I came across this looking for something to say about my son who passed 3 months ago in a horrible car wreck. He would have been 6 on march 7th and i plan on doing his memorial this day. Wild I came across this. Thank you
Thank you for the perfect words of prayer for my dearest friend who recently passed away. This is his first year of passing and was looking for something new when I came across this simple but sweet and thoughtful prayer you posted. Thank you and God Bless.
I lost one of my best friends last year in a car accident, after spending the weekend with her. It is still so confusing and I am still so angry. Today, she would have turned 30.
Thank you for helping me heal today and every other day that I miss her. This is perfect!!
I am so sorry that you lost your friend. Wishing you peace and grace revealed once again. Thanks for stopping to comment.
My da1ughter, Stacy, passed away from a long and painful battle with breast cancer a year and a half ago. She was 44, and left14 year old daughter, a loving husband, two sisters, two brothers, her Dad and me, her Mom. I wanted to say something special about her to remember her birthday, March 7th on social media. I typed into my “ask me anything” box at the bottom of my computer’s tool bar, I said, “I want to honor my deceased daughter’s birthday.” Your wonderful words came in view. Thank you, I will eat her favorite food, and cry, and pray and remember her wonderful life. She was a brave and courageous woman, who smiled always, even through her cancer and lived a abundant life.
Sharon, my condolences. Thank you for taking the time to write a note. Sending peace and blessings. -Lisa
My husband passed away 7 February 2017 in a motorbike accident,he would’ve turned 50 on 13 September.Thank you for this poem,will definitely use it to celebrate his birthday,God bless
Tanya, I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending love and virtual hugs. May Peace find its way to you. -Lisa
We lost our Aunt, Marylene, last year, a month after her birthday. Tomorrow, she would’ve been 53.
I found your prayer and I am hoping if we could use this for a birthday post on Facebook. Your words are exactly what I was thinking and feeling, but cannot verbalize. Thank you for making me find my voice.
God bless you.
Of course Anne Marie. Blessings to you and your family.