"God Is Great!"

That is the first line to a table blessing that my parents taught me long ago.  That is the first line of a table blessing that I have taught my kids and now my foster children.  Let's just say the fosters are obsessed.

Ritual is so important to toddlers.  Ritual is so important to foster children.  I have foster children toddlers, therefore, ritual is doubly important.

I can assure you that they wouldn't dare let a meal go by without insisting that we do our table blessing.  They would prefer to do it 5 times at each meal.  Even the 1-year-old reaches out her hand the second she sees me near the table, ready for, "God is great."

The toddlers also can be seen reenacting it in the play room, holding each other's hands.  They can even be heard from the back seat of our van, as they reach across the divide to touch fingers and practice their blessing.

The smiles on their faces each and every time we do the blessing is a sight to see.  They are so happy to be part of a ritual, to know what to expect during this one small part of life.  Miss Independent now knows all the words.  Mr. Strut will join in now and then and decisively add his, "amen!"  Miss Personality alternates between bowing her head and watching everyone else bow theirs with a huge smile on her face.

They say rituals help to create a family.  I really think this little ritual brings us closer together.  It's something we do in our family.  They know that and truly feel a part of it, a part of us.  And, yes, God is great!