I am my children

Our names are the second thing that define us. Only preceded by our sex. We are often named before fully introduced to the world. I spared my children this injustice. I had names picked out long before my children existed and abandoned those when I knew that a child was created. Then I spent 9 months hunting. I read everything I could and hated baby name books. I know all the names, that are names, and exist as names but I wanted something more. My literary side wanted deeper names but my pragmatic partner requested equal voice in the choice. Both children were given several choices; 11 to be exact. They were allowed to be fully human for 2 days before hospital staff forced a choice to chosen. Both times, I narrowed my names down to 3 and allowed him the final choice.

My first is a warrior and the child of a warrior. He is created in my image and I stand proud. A child who could argue before he could talk and has never allowed age or size to dictate his limitations. He is strong, and wise. He was named for a fighter and a journalist. And in 3 short years, has proven to have earned his name.

My second was the child of an old man, aged in heart at birth. She came into the world a peaceful child, born on 3 gray days in the midst of winter. She is calm and watchful. Cautious and earnest and deep. Still waters run deep, they say. The depths of her soul hide a joy and rhythm that strangers rarely see. She was named after a doctor and a princess. And again this child has earned her moniker.

In a challenge that asks about your name, take a moment and consider who named you. Someone gave you life and a name. They named you long before you understood who you would be. And you are who are you because of your name.