My husband came to me where I carved out my bit of bed. He knelt his body, he knelt his head, and he did what any boy who loved the grand woman of his youth would do. He cried.
She battled Alzheimer’s disease for years. Despite the cruelty of the disease, our memories of her lovely warmth were never diminished. A Saturday morning phone call brought the news she was gone. We hugged and cried with each other. Sometime during the previous evening, the world lost Dorothy and my husband lost Grandma Dodo.
He left to tell the kids, who were downstairs. I remained in bed, where my second week of bedrest was taking a vow to be more patient with our situation. What a strange, bittersweet week for my husband’s family.
His brother and his wife had their first baby on August 3rd. Death dealt a blow on August 6th. I was carrying a little cousin, a little great-grandson, doing my admittedly-fitful best to see it through to a happy ending. It was almost overwhelming to consider how and why these collisions of life and death occur until you are forced to consider that the world would be a terrible place if they never occurred.
Grandma Dodo would have loved her two littlest ones and there is no doubt they would have loved her.
Our baby boy was born on Monday, August 23rd at 10:29am. He needed a name. She has a name, even now. It can never be taken away, but it can be honored.
Dorothy means “gift from God” and Theodore means the same.
We weren’t considering Theodore as a front-running name until she was gone. Then it seemed right and full of gravity—not in the stern sense of the word but in the freedom only gravity can provide. It’s the freedom to look back through years we’ve never lived, but can claim because we were loved by those who came before us. It’s an anchor thrown by people like Grandma Dorothy ahead to the future. We caught it. We caught him.
Miles is Theodore’s middle name. We simply liked it as a middle name with several of our possibilities. Miles also happens to be the name of Grandma Dorothy’s father. I did not know that until after he was named. I like Miles because it makes me think of a journey made by foot. Why I don’t think of a journey made by stroller or chuckwagon or 1967 Dodge Charger, I don’t know.
By foot, by force, by sole propulsion. Though forests, over hills, ever moving. That’s Miles in my big imaginary baby name book.
Our little baby has a name. He also has a birth story, which I will share soon.
I am so very, very sorry for your loss, and what a beautiful way to remember her. I love his name.
.-= Beck´s last blog ..Big Old Yarn Ball =-.
Welcome to the world Theodore Miles. Beautiful name, beautiful story, thanks for sharing.
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..New Adventure =-.
What a sweet story. Jacob’s 1st grade homework tonight was to write about what his name means and why we chose it for him. Someday your son will get the opportunity to tell this story, in his words, to his grade school classmates.
I’m sorry for the loss of Hubby’s beloved grandmother. But what a wonderful way you’ve chosen to honor her memory.
Looking forward to the birth story!
This is so beautiful.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..the details- part 2 =-.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so happy for your gain. Things seem to come full-circle that way. May the sadness in your hearts be replaced with happy memories…old and new.
.-= The Casual Perfectionist´s last blog ..The Obligatory First Day of School Shots & My Not-So-Secret Plot to Take Over the World =-.
“but in the freedom only gravity can provide.”
It’s perfect.
Congrats (again and again and again).
.-= Megan@SortaCrunchy´s last blog ..Peace =-.
Perfect. I knew it would be a good one. What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful lady.
.-= Heth´s last blog ..Grateful Despite Myself =-.
My closest friend from childhood in Indiana recently had her first child, named Miles. I will pass on your musings on the name “Miles” to her…it will make her day.
Lovely. I’m sure she would be very honored. And since I’m assuming his nickname will probably not be the same as Grandma Dorothy’s, anything you’re calling him yet? Theo? Teddy?
.-= Minnesotamom´s last blog ..Let us pause in life’s pleasures… =-.
Chills all up and down. I love every bit of this story, and his name. My heart goes out to you in your time of sorrow and rejoicing. 🙂
Love SO much,
Steph
I know the song “Sunrise, Sunset” is cliche. But it’s cliche for a reason. Our lives are mix of beauty and agony. When blended together, we have faith to press on.
Welcome to the world, Theodore Miles. May your name fit you like a mantle.
.-= Kelly @ Love Well´s last blog ..Focus =-.
Welcome to the world, Theodore Miles.
Godspeed, Grandma Dodo.
.-= Lori Lavender Luz´s last blog ..Perfect Moment Monday- Beachin’ =-.
Oh what a beautiful meaningful name… Funny how much gravity is carried in a name – I love it… Well done you!!! Lots of love to you all…
.-= se7en´s last blog ..Sunday Snippet- A Visit to Egypt… =-.
Sweet Name!
Love it Gretchen – great name – your little “TM”… prayers for your grieving and yet celebratory family. I hope you are healing quickly….
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Second-Sixth =-.
I love his name and I love that it has meaning for your family. Congratulations again.
.-= nicole´s last blog ..In Full Communion =-.
What a beautiful tribute to a loved one. I have a daughter who shares her great-grandmother’s middle name, Mae. When she passed in March, the sweetness and importance of remembering became so much greater. Congratulations on your new boy! Welcome, Theodore Miles.
.-= Miranda´s last blog ..Reminiscing =-.
What a beautiful name with a beautiful story. I have been waiting to read something from you! Can we call him Teddy?! I love the name, by the way. And I’m so sorry about Grandma Dorothy, I love how you honored her through his name.
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..stream of conciousness =-.
Mourning your family’s loss with you but also rejoicing with your family on it’s newest blessing. Congrats, and welcome to the world, Theodore! What beautiful meaning behind your name!
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..Tricycle Handlebars =-.
Love, love, LOVE the name. So sweet. And such a sweet way to honor his great grandma. I can only imagine that it’s been a bittersweet week. My last living grandma died when I was about 28 weeks pregnant, and I also know she would have loved our little guy.
.-= Aubrey´s last blog ..Why I love geriatrics =-.
Love. Congrats and glad you can hopefully get out of bed now. Looking forward to hearing the story!
What a wonderful name! I especially love that it carries such significance for your family. I think Dorothy would be honored.
I triple-love this name! And what a lovely story too. Sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful way to honour Dorothy’s memory.
Seriously, Theodore is a fav name of mine. Theo is a cute nickname, the meaning rocks, and it’s even cool in French–pronounced Tay-O. (Since living overseas, I now always consider how a name sounds in French.)
.-= edj´s last blog ..Retaining Your Sanity- A quick how-to guide Part 3 1-2 =-.
Beautiful words Gretchen. What an amazing honor. You are blessed is so many ways.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Spring Break Stay-cation =-.
Just perfectly beautiful – all of it. GOd bless you and little Theodore. 🙂
.-= Aimee´s last blog ..Breathing Room =-.
Love the name. Miles was my grandfather’s name. Congrats again on your newest little one.
.-= Angie B´s last blog ..A Wii Bit of Exercise =-.