A Prayer For The First Day

For the past eight days, memories have been popping up on my phone—first day of school moments from years gone by. From snaggle-toothed little ones clutching lunchboxes to the big adventure of dorm room set-ups… each image reminds me of the tender ache of beginnings. Even though my sons now have their own beautiful lives in faraway cities, I can still feel a tug on my heart at this time of year, as mothers and children everywhere prepare for another “first day.”

And so, with all of us in mind—the mamas, the children, the families near and far—I offer this prayer for the first day…

A Prayer for the First Day

Calling all angels,

wrap your arms wide

around every trembling heart this morning.

For the mamas who kiss the crowns of children

walking into new classrooms,

carrying backpacks stuffed with

fresh pencils and secret fears—

may courage bloom in their little chests

like wildflowers cracking through sidewalks.

For the mamas whose babies

are no longer babies,

who now board planes and buses,

stretching the bungee cords of love

across miles and years—may their hearts remember

that Love has wings

swifter than absence,

stronger than distance,

wider than goodbye.

For the immigrant mothers

who lie awake at night,

wondering if the ground beneath them is steady,

if their families will remain whole…

may they be met with compassion,

with safety,

with communities that know them as kin.

And for the mothers

in lands where the sound of gunfire

has stolen the ringing of school bells,

may they feel the care of the world

cradle them with a vow

that someday every child

will have the right

to walk freely into learning,

into play,

into peace.

Let this year be not just

a school year,

but a soul year.

Let our hearts practice peace

like multiplication tables,

let our relationships hum in harmony

like a fine-tuned choir,

let our actions carve courage

into new maps of the world

until even heaven says,

“Yes, earth, you remembered me.”

Isn’t this what we all want?

A place where every child can grow,

every family can feel safe,

and Love is the curriculum

that never ends.

Amen.

And so it is.

With love from my mama heart,

Deb

P.S. ✨

Austin In-Person PranaShakti™ returns Wednesday, September 17

Online PranaShakti™ resumes Friday, September 19

I can’t wait to share some soul-stirring new music with you.