Naming Sonrisa de mi Alma
from Juliette Low Ceremony '04, (c) Rebecca Glon
4th & 5th stanzas (c) Brian Jacques, Pearls of Lutra
4th & 5th stanzas (c) Brian Jacques, Pearls of Lutra
At the start of the Sea Scout Ship, I got a call during one of their inaugural meetings while at college. The girls needed ideas for the name. I didn't have any and so hung up, but sure enough, after mulling over it two minutes later, I frantically dialed my mom again and suggested Sonrisa de mi Alma. Despite those in attendance who spoke Spanish, I had to translate it--Smile of my Soul. The response was a brief pause and a chorus of "Awwwwww"s. However, no one really talked more about it. It was just accepted. I adapted a boat naming poem to explain it.
There will never be a better name
For such a worthy crew
But not from chance, nor luck, nor a fool it came:
La Sonrisa de mi Alma is you.
The Ship gave me friends when I had none,
And summers I didn’t want to end.
Now, when all of my competing years are done,
My heart to my shipmates I send.
You’re the light that shines when all others go out,
My fire inside for another mile
My saving grace when I’m beaten by doubt—
It’s your memories that cause my soul to smile.
Whether she sails on river or sea,
May the wind be always behind her,
May she always be welcomed by friends like me,
May the hard times never find her.
Let her crew hold the lives of eachother dear,
And avoid every sharp rock or reef,
Good seasons and fates now listen and hear
Keep Sonrisa de mi Alma from all grief!
For such a worthy crew
But not from chance, nor luck, nor a fool it came:
La Sonrisa de mi Alma is you.
The Ship gave me friends when I had none,
And summers I didn’t want to end.
Now, when all of my competing years are done,
My heart to my shipmates I send.
You’re the light that shines when all others go out,
My fire inside for another mile
My saving grace when I’m beaten by doubt—
It’s your memories that cause my soul to smile.
Whether she sails on river or sea,
May the wind be always behind her,
May she always be welcomed by friends like me,
May the hard times never find her.
Let her crew hold the lives of eachother dear,
And avoid every sharp rock or reef,
Good seasons and fates now listen and hear
Keep Sonrisa de mi Alma from all grief!
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Updated October 27th, 2015
Updated October 27th, 2015