Lesson #35- What's in a Name?

First things first, it's a girl!  Officially.  100%, no silly 95% anymore... it's a girl.  This picture was clearly taken when we had the "95%" bet.  Her name will be Lillian Louise Flurry ("Lily" for short).  I must have a thing for "L" names with 4 letters.  

Lillian was Ryan's maternal grandmother's name, although she went by "Geneva". Apparently she chose Geneva because she hated Lillian.  Oops.  It's the thought that counts, right?  

My memories of Geneva are few but special.  She had a beautiful smile.  She gave great hugs.  She was a teacher and spoke to me the first time I met her about teaching in a one-room schoolhouse.  In fact, St. Joe is peppered with former students of hers still.  She was an incredible mother to Becky, Nancy and Marcia and instilled in them a love of family and a sense of community.  The three sisters have been wonderful additions to my life, especially Becky, the best mother-in-law I could ask for.  

Geneva was the matriarch, the queen bee, the one that led the way with grace and sass.  

Speaking of sass, my favorite memory of Geneva was when we were waiting for Ryan to pass by in the annual tractor parade.  I had just returned from a trip to Fiji, New Zealand and Australia and I was telling the group about it.  Jeremiah was there, just a newborn, and Becky, Jenny and Jodi.  We were waiting in the Dairy Queen parking lot and I was talking a mile a minute.  I remember being excited telling Geneva about it, who smiled and nodded as if she really cared.  Then, after awhile, she looked me in the eye and said, "Annie, shut up."

Huh?

Jodi was appalled.  Becky was embarrassed.  I was shocked.  And then I laughed and, of course, shut up.

Everyone who heard the story agreed that I was officially in Geneva's good graces.  Apparently, she saved all sass for family members.

Lillian Geneva passed away just two weeks before Ryan proposed to me.  He mentioned on our engagement trip that he wished he had told her his plans to propose; that he wished she knew that I would become a member of their family.   But I think she knew.  I think she, like my own grandma Weezie as well as our fathers Dolph and John, had a deliberate hand in it.

Lily's middle name "Louise" is in honor of my maternal grandmother, Louise "Weezie" Yax, the most beautiful woman I have ever known, inside and out.  Weezie was an everyday part of my life growing up; we were lucky to see her several times a week throughout our lives.  She and my grandpa Buddy lived just a few miles from us, and we would visit them all of the time.  

Weezie always smelled good, like flowers and love.  She never had a gray hair on her head and she had incredibly soft hands.  She carried her lipstick around in a little case with a mirror and reapplied often.  And she could color better than anyone I knew.  

Weezie taught me about faith- in God, in family and in humankind.  She tolerated no unkindness and showed only patience and love. 

And perhaps most importantly, she raised her four children that way, my mom being one of them.  The one who raised me with the same faith and kindness, patience and love.  Mom and Weezie were two peas in a pod and each other's best friends.

In fact, my mom's middle name is Louise.  And my sister Amy's middle name is Louise. Even Lola, my dog's middle name is Louise. And my Uncle Bob just reminded me that my dad's grandmother was Louise "Lou" Anderson Heidersbach. So choosing that for Lily's middle name seemed fitting.  It honors all of the women in my life who I adore, the ones who have taught me so much and who I know will teach Lily just as much about faith and kindness, patience and love.

My sweet Weezie died in February of 2007.  She passed away in the last house she lived in- the same one we live in now.  She passed away quietly and peacefully in her bedroom- the same one that Liam sleeps in now.  I believe that she looks over him every night as he dreams about all of his ancestors that he will never meet but who influence his life every day in quiet ways and through those still here to make sure their lessons live on.

I wish that Lillian Louise could have many more names, named after the women in my life who I love, who have loved me.  Named for the women in my family and those who would be blood-related if I had my choice.  I would name her...

Lillian Louise Patricia Amy Rebecca Dorothy Margaret Anita Marilyn Pamela Rosemary Shannon Jodi Marcia Nancy Cathy Stacey Jessica Jenny Sarah Carol Kristin Emily Alison Thu Maya and so on....

But that would be crazy.  And it wouldn't fit on standard forms.  

What's in a name?  A lot.  Lesson well learned.