One day there's just the two of you, then in all God's Glory, you're presented another "little you" or "little her" or a "li'l bit of Y'all!" You spend the coming days buyin' furniture, decorating a room; just plain gettin' ready. And then...you have to put a name to the little dickens.
Is it a boy or a girl? I never once thought it'd be anything but a boy. Didn't even consider a girl happenin' to me, so my name selections were male. The first was a troublesome start. Which family member do you want to honor? That's a beast of a decision, because leave one out, and whom did you disappoint? No codependence issue here!! My father; Thomas Henry? Her father; Robert Kelly? My favorite Uncle; Palmer? I simply couldn't do them all with a First and Middle. Loookin' back, I'd have picked one and been done with it, but I couldn't and took the easy route, so Junior it was. I believe when I did that, I disappointed everyone, but once Li'l Phil burst forth, the name was the least of anyone's concern. All they wanted was to grab hold an' hug an' love, and kiss an' snuggle, and brag, and brag and brag! It was Little Phil and Big Phil for six years. Now, I know why they called my Father, "Junior;" so they wouldn't have to do the Big Henry and Little Henry!
He comes home from school on day one proclaiming, "my name is not Phil!" He was almost in tears, for he was so confused. "But Son, just tell the teacher to call you 'Phil.'" I didn't have enough sense to call the teacher myself and explain. So everyday, he'd answer roll call to "Michael," and everyday, he'd come home tellin' us his name wasn't 'Phil." You can't imagine how tight that spiral could spin. So, "Michael" it was and ever will be. It took the Grandparents much longer to get use to the change; believe me!
The second child came, and I took to the Bible. Moses was the first name that I recall seeing, but there was no way I could do that to the child. but Moses had a brother, Aaron...Bingo! It hit the spot. Doesn't take me long to shop! I was on a mission, and the first thing that caught my eye made the sale. No need to shop around and confuse the issue. There was one li'l catch though: being the good Southern Baptist I was, or pretended to be, I added "Christian" in there to make sure he was on the right side of the fence. So many years later, I know that was a foolish thought. Shucks, today, I'd not think twice and name him Moses Aaron!
So..."and Baby makes three!" I had no say into the naming of that Precious Surprise. Here I was thinkin' "Boy" again, but I had no clue, though his Mother did, and kept it a secret from me, which is a good thing, because I'm not of the leanin' that anyone should know which sex the child will be. Sarah Kate was, is and always will be Daddy's li'l Gurl! She was cute and fat and everything a Daddy loves in a daughter. Daughter's are different. That's all there is to say about it. But there was a special meaning in this name that no one would ever know, except the ones that had been there before me; my best friends from school: the Four Wolves. Four of us went through high school together, then on to the same college: NCState. Ken, Don and Jerry all had daughters named Kate or Catherine or Kathy. When Fran named Sarah, the very first thought I had was I finally had a "Kate!" It was a personal bond that only I would know or find important. As we grow older, and as one of us has passed way too soon, I feel the ring of friendship was strengthened with the birth of that dear child.
Three children as different as could ever be, but no tighter a bond could you ever find in a family. As much as a parent can love a child, there is no more special a blessing than to know they love you back. I see it often, and am so proud. No one can be fortunate without love. My Fortune will always be the love of my children.
