Recently my wife and I received news that our oldest son and his wife were expecting their first child. They are excited and so are we.
But, it raises an important question.
As I move towards being a grandparent, what will my name be?
My parents gave me the name Paul.
Parenthood gave me the name Dad.
Both were automatic, but this time is different.
This time I get to chose.
Names are important.
Like most parents, my wife and I thought a long time about the names we selected for our two sons. That was who they were from the moment we first held them.
I am reminded of this wonderful story in the Bible found in Genesis 2.
It is the creation narrative and the way I imagine the story is like this:
God, sitting on the ground, takes a handful of earth.
Shapes the earth into a creature.
Blows his breath into its nostrils.
Then, gives it to Adam for Adam to name.
The way the story goes, it is with the naming that the creatures come into being.
The naming.
So, what will my name be as I enter this next part of my life?
It feels strange that the decision is left up to me.
I wish I could wait, and maybe I should, until the little one and I are able to take a walk together and I am able to ask her or him what my name should be.
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