Families often ask me:
How can you make the celebration of a boy or girl's coming of age a truly powerful and meaningful event?

Beyond the tools, background, stories, and methods that I offer and build together with them – I always return to one essential thing: presence.

Everyone arrives, gathers, and begins a guided activity in honor of the celebrant, as it is often overwhelming and "crazy" to put them at the center. The milestone we celebrate is a reason for a party, for which we want to prepare and make it special and exciting. 

Before the words, before the ceremonies, before any designed idea, there is something simple and powerful in the very act of arrival.
When a family gathers in nature, walks together, and shows presence, it already conveys an important message.

In nature, everything is present and simple.
You don't have to talk a lot for a boy or girl to feel like everyone is there for them.
That they are important.
They are wrapped.
And this is the message: We came to be with you.

Walking together, listening, and staying – create supportive ground for deepening and intergenerational connection.
This is the foundation. This is the heart.
And from here – it is possible to build an experience, meaning, rituals, values.
But first of all – to be there.

The possibility and opportunity to meet without distractions, a direct and real encounter, is available to all of us. Choosing this type of encounter emphasizes important intentions that constitute a clear and important action, especially in our day and age, given the challenges of many stimuli, distractions, quick results, and rapid transitions.  

What do the children experience from all of this? How do they feel that we are present with them?
Maybe just like we feel like we are in full presence with ourselves.

Let's give them this gift!