A Blessing for a Young Man in Summertime

A Blessing for a Young Man in Summertime
by Andrew Greeley

May Jesus and Mary protect you this summer from:

Broken bones (!)
Skinned knees
Throwing stones
And stinging bees

Sibling fights
Irate moms
Too late nights
And biting hounds

Angry games
Sister bosses
Unjust claims
And easy losses

Rainy days
Too much sun
Mean ways
And the end of fun

And may Jesus and Mary bring you safely to manhood
And help you remember with your own sons
What it was like to be a boy in summertime.

And God, the ever patient father of all of us
Bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

(From A Book of Irish American Blessings and Prayers by Andrew M. Greeley)

Happy Summer!