Wherein a Name is Given

As you may have noticed in my last post, I felt as though the child I lost was a little girl.  It wasn’t any innate feeling on my part.  I chose “pink” because of something John had said when, for a quick moment, he allowed himself to entertain the notion of another child.

He said, “I hope it’s a girl.”

I just shook my head.  I didn’t care either way, but I admit I’ve always envisioned John walking our daughter down the aisle for her wedding.  He’d be the quintessential “Daddy” to an adoring little girl.  Even he smiled at the idea. 

As I thought on the child within me, I guess I began picturing her as a little girl… as the sweet little angel who would melt her Daddy’s heart. 

Then when the flowers came last week, they were all pink.  Pink carnations, pink roses, pink tiny flowers that probably have a name and I just don’t know what it is.  The bow was pink, and even the balloon was pink.   I took that as my confirmation. 

Her name was given to me when I knew I had conceived.  As I mentioned in a previous post, my entire body screamed “Miracle.”  A miracle she is, so I named her for the painting I can’t get out of my head: Senor de los Milagros de Nazarenas – Lord of Miracles.  I’ve written about this Peruvian painting before.  It depicts Christ crucified while His Mother and Mary Magdalene mourn His Passion.  God the Father and Spirit are also present.  

So from this painting, which expresses the mysterious miracle of love, grief, and salvation, I found myself saying, "Myla."  A shortening of "Milagros" or "miracle," my little Myla earned her name from my body's unconscious praise of its Creator.  Plus, its Slavic origins translate "Myla" to mean "grace" or "favor" and I believe that's exactly what she was to us.

Her middle name sorta fell from the sky.  I wasn't sure, at first, what it should be.  Then, I realized that I kept wanting to call her my "little flower."  Ah ha.

Myla Therese it is.

So, may the Lord bless and keep you, Myla Therese.  Mommy cannot wait to meet you in Heaven.  Keep praying for Daddy, your brother and I my sweet little angel, and please give kisses to your great-grandparents for me.