<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div dir="auto" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class="">A Blessing</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span style="font-size: 14px;" class=""><i class="">For the graduates of the University of Arizona.</i></span></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">This morning we gather in gratitude for all aspects of sacredness:</div><div class="">the air, the warmth of fire, bodies of water, plants, the land,</div><div class="">and all animals and humankind.</div><div class="">We gather to honor our students who have achieved the extraordinary</div><div class="">accomplishment of earning doctoral or master's degrees.</div><div class="">We gather to honor their parents, grandparents, children,</div><div class="">family members, and friends who have traveled with them</div><div class="">on their path to success. They have traveled far distances to be here</div><div class="">this morning: we honor their devotion.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">May we remember that holiness exists in the ordinary elements of our lives.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">We are grateful for a homeland that has always thrived</div><div class="">on a glorious array of people and their diverse cultures, histories,</div><div class="">and beliefs. We acknowledge the generosity of the Tohono O'odham</div><div class="">in granting this land on which we learn, teach, celebrate</div><div class="">accomplishments, and sometimes mourn losses.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">May we always cherish our ancestors as we prepare for the days ahead.</div><div class="">May we remember that we exist because of their prayers and their faith.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">We are blessed with distinct and melodious tongues.</div><div class="">Our languages are treasures of stories, songs, ceremonies, and memories.</div><div class="">May each of us remember to share our stories with one another,</div><div class="">because it is only through stories that we live full lives.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">May the words we speak go forth as bright beads</div><div class="">of comfort, joy, humor, and inspiration.</div><div class="">We have faith that the graduates will inspire others</div><div class="">to explore and follow their interests.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">Today we reflect a rainbow of creation:</div><div class="">Some of us came from the east, where bright crystals of creativity reside.</div><div class="">They are the white streaks of early morning light when all is born again.</div><div class="">We understand that, in Tucson, the Rincon Mountains are our inspiration</div><div class="">for beginning each day. The Rincons are everlasting and always present.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">Those who came from the south embody the strength of the blue</div><div class="">mountains that encircle us. The Santa Ritas instill in us</div><div class="">the vigorous spirit of youthful learning.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">Others came from the west; they are imbued with the quiet, yellow glow of dusk.</div><div class="">They help us achieve our goals. Here in the middle of the valley, the ts'aa',</div><div class="">the basket of life, the Tucson Mountains teach us to value our families.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">The ones from the north bring the deep, restorative powers of night's darkness;</div><div class="">their presence renews us. The Santa Catalina Mountains teach us that,</div><div class="">though the past may be fraught with sorrow, it was strengthened</div><div class="">by the prayers of our forebearers.</div><div class="">We witnessed the recent fires the mountains suffered,</div><div class="">and in their recovery we see ourselves on our own journeys.</div><div class="">We understand that we are surrounded by mountains, dziił,</div><div class="">and thus that we are made of strength, dziił, nihí níhídziił.</div><div class="">We are strong ourselves. We are surrounded by mountains</div><div class="">that help us negotiate our daily lives.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">May we always recognize the multitude of gifts that surround us.</div><div class="">May our homes, schools, and communities be filled with the wisdom</div><div class="">and optimism that reflect a generous spirit.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">We are grateful for all blessings, seen and unseen.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">May we fulfill the lives envisioned for us at our birth. May we realize</div><div class="">that our actions affect all people and the earth. May we live in the way</div><div class="">of beauty and help others in need. May we always remember that</div><div class="">we were created as people who believe in one another. We are grateful,</div><div class="">Holy Ones, for the graduates, as they will strengthen our future.</div><div class=""> </div><div class="">All is beautiful again.</div><div class="">Hózhǫ́ nááhasdłíí’.</div><div class="">Hózhǫ́ nááhasdłíí’.</div><div class="">Hózhǫ́ nááhasdłíí’.</div><div class="">Hózhǫ́ nááhasdłíí’.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Luci Tapahanso</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>(Luci Tapahanso is the <span style="orphans: 2; widows: 2; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="">inaugural poet laureate of the Navajo Nation)</span></div></div></body></html>