we would like to announce the name of our first child, Isabela Eva Bertling. for reasons we will never know or fully understand, we are not meeting her today, her due date, as we hoped we would. but we want to recognise her as a child we would have loved, and give her an identity that makes her a part of our family.
the name Isabela is the Italian variant of Elisabeth, which means "consecrated/pledged to God," or "promise of God." it is an Italian name, because that is where she resides in spirit and memory (see this post), and that is where she spent some of the first weeks of her short life in the womb. in addition, Elisabeth is the middle name of both her fraternal grandmother, Sabine Elisabeth Bertling, and her maternal great-grandmother, Anne Elizabeth Gieschen.
the name Eva was the English name of Yu-Ying Eva Chan, her maternal great-grandmother, who left this earth one week before Isabela Eva did. when we lost our baby, there was comfort in the image of Eva Chan already there in heaven to welcome and hold her when she arrived. Eva Chan, who is also missed, was an incredible woman of courage, faith, and fierce love. and more importantly, the name Eva is still carried by Isabela Eva's maternal grandmother, Nancy Eva Gieschen.
Isabela Eva Bertling, we hope to meet you someday. in the meantime, we will remember you, and we do consecrate you into the hands of a loving creator God. thank you for what you have given to us in your short life.
7 comments:
Beautiful.
I love you, dear friend.
I wish I was there.
What a beautiful, loving tribute. Been thinking about you all day! Love you.
Thank you for including us in your journey.
KDMK
That is a beautiful name! You were the first thought I had this morning when I woke up! I have always been a great fan of your written work, and again you amaze me! I am so proud of you and Thomas. Know that God has a plan for your life. I have to remind myself that several times a day!!! Have you ever thought of publishing these entries? I know SEVERAL women who would be so blessed by your writings! I would run out and get several copies today! You are not alone. So many others share you sentiments, and thank you for being transparent to share them to help someone else. My counselor told me not to allow anyone to rush me through my grieving process, and that there is no "time limit"... Although words fail me at times like this, I am a great smiler and hugger, and I will make myself available for you with unlimited quantities!!! With much love, your sister, from Sigma SWOG, that lives just down the street...Trina
It's so good to know your baby, Erika. What a delight it will be to meet her. Love to you and Thomas.
CAKE
You know how much we love you both. Thank you for inviting us into Isabela's life. You were there for me in my grief and know that we are with you both in yours. May the Lord continue to provide you peace, strength and hope. We love you.
my dear friends, thank you for all that you have said and for being with me each step of the way. your affirmation and love is such a gift. this community of encouragement and prayer is one of the most profound blessings that has come from the ashes of this experience. THANK YOU!
Post a Comment