Great Occasions: Readings for the Celebration of Birth, Coming-Of-Age, Marriage, and Death

Birth, maturity, marriage and death: These are the four cornerstones of human life, the great occasions. *Over 650 memorable selections to commemorate the milestones of life. *Poetry and prose from a broad spectrum of highly regarded writers, including Aiken, Pound, Dickinson, Seneca, Blake, Buddha, Bronte, Marcuse, Stevens, Sexton, Tagore, Lippman, Sandburg, Sarton, Pasternak, Lao Tzu, Yevtushenko, Yeats and many more. This treasury of words pays tribute to the watershed events of life. Prose and poetry selections are sorted by the occasion they honor–birth, coming-of-age, marriage and death. Originally designed for ministers by a beloved New England pastor who spent years officiating at such occasions, this useful reference will be valued by anyone who is called upon to officiate, speak or contribute to ceremonies that commemorate the great passages of life. Includes index of authors, first lines and subjects, plus services for adoption, divorce and memorials.