What's In A Name

Dear Little Rekike,
Some days, while your sisters are sitting at the kitchen table, munching on pretzels and spooning yogurt into their mouths, they ask me to tell them the story of their names.  And so I tell them because I love their stories.  I always begin with Lilah. 

"When you were still inside me, tucked up in a little ball, Daddy would sing to you.  And one day, when he was singing a song called "Lyla," down close to my belly, the little ball that was you somersaulted over towards his voice.  He was so surprised, he stopped singing...but after that, no other name seemed to fit you as well as that one."

And I watch as a smile spreads across your sister's face.

I move on to Arabelle.  "When you were hidden in my belly, the doctors found a big boo-boo inside your head.  And they sent me to a hospital far away and they told me that you might not get better.  So EVERYONE began praying for you- day after day..and then, your boo-boo started to get smaller and smaller until there was nothing left...God had made you better!  And so we named you Arabelle which means `Answered prayer'."

And Arabelle's eyes light up.

At this point, I turn to Esme.  "Forever and always I loved the name Esme.  And when you were born, your Daddy and I had a different name picked out for you.  But as we held you close and looked into your eyes, suddenly that other name didn't seem to fit.  Esme means "loved" and that was what you were."

And Esme scrunches up her face in a grin.

But now, little Rekike, we don't stop with Esme.  Your sisters always ask me to tell another story.  It's the story of YOUR name..and it's their favorite.

"When I first heard your Ethiopian name, Rekike, I held my breath. It reminded me a lot of the nickname my friend always called me. Kiki.  I loved that God connected our names together from the beginning. We love your name..and now it was time to add our special names for you. Some names from US, your mommy and daddy. 

And so we named you, our bundle of hope, Elora Hartlee Rekike. Elora means `God is light.' We could think of no other name to better describe our journey to you. Hope shining in darkness. Forever and always, when I say your name on my lips, I will think of Psalm 36:9 `In Your light, we see light' and Isaiah 50:10 `Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.'

Hartlee twines its name around your Daddy's, since his middle name is Lee, and around Psalm 20:4. `May He give you the desire of your HEART and make all your plans succeed.'

So you, little Elora Hartlee Rekike, remind us of God's light shining forth. You have stolen our hearts and you are what we desire."

Right now, I don't get to see your face as I tell you your story.  But in 25 days, we are going to come and meet you. And I will whisper the story of your name and our journey to you in your ear...and even though you won't understand it now...someday you will.  And until then, I will hold you as close as can be for as long as they let me...