What's in a Name?

It's February 1st. February usually means decorating with hearts and cupids for Valentine's Day, or people getting a 3 day weekend when President's day comes. For me, it means something else because every February since 1996 I get to start the month off with a celebration, a birthday celebration. 21 years ago I had my second child, a little girl. I've written many blogs about her before on her birthday and other times. It is no secret to anyone who reads this blog that I am a very proud mama and I love her very much. This post will be a little different. I want to tell you a story. I grew up very close physically and emotionally to my maternal grandparents. They lived 6 doors down the block, and I spent every weekend there and most summers at my Gram and Grampy's house. When I was in 8th grade, we all moved into one house together. We lived in the same house until I moved out when I married in 1982. I was especially close to my Grampy. He was a little bit goofy, and he had this great laugh. He never met a stranger, he could talk to anyone. He loved to sing, and he had a little bit of a temper, but more than anything he was one of the kindest people I've ever known. I can't remember him ever speaking a malicious word against anyone. He would give every one a chance, sometimes 2 or 3. To say that I adored him is an understatement. Sadly, we lost him way too soon, in 1983 when I was 19. It was long before I ever thought of children. When I was pregnant with my second child 13 years later, I decided not to find out what sex the child was. It would be a surprise! I did know, however, that I wanted to somehow honor my grandfather and his love for me. My grandfather's name was Alfred John, neither of which I wanted to use, so I wanted to think of something else. Now, remember, I said he was a little goofy. One of his goofier habits was the fact that he called everyone George, friends and strangers alike. We picked the name Georgia if we had a girl, and we decided we would call her Georgi. That little girl arrived at 8:16 AM on February 1st in 1996. Now, why did I tell you that story about my Grandpa? Because his namesake is so much like him. She has every quality I named above, and if he were alive today, they would be the best of friends. I can't pay my baby a higher compliment than to say she embodies the spirit of her namesake. I know she will continue to do great things, but more than that, she will touch everyone she meets, and their lives will be better for having known her, just like my Grampy!