Friday, May 15, 2009

What's in a name?

Jasper Keats. I waffled on his name after he was born wondering if he should have been given his brother's name in honor of him. After much consideration, Brad and I decided that this little guy should have his own name and that we could always honor and remember Sully in other ways. As the days carry on I see more clearly how Japser's name and it's meaning is the right one for him.

Jasper means guardian or treasurer. Keats can mean poetic or also it can mean melancholy. I questioned using a name that could mean sadness but it's the two names together that take on significance for me. This little wonder in my arms I have named the guardian of the sadness, the treasurer or keeper of the poetry. As I talk to him and hold him against my chest I feel how much he is keeping the sadness at bay, how much his arrival has begun to heal my wounded heart. The gift of Jasper to our family is like a salve for us all. I often wonder where I would have ended up had this little guy not also been a part of our story. The bitterness and angst is still inside but would it have festered uncontrollably had my arms always been left empty? I don't know. Having Jasper without a doubt has helped me to once again see the beauty of life, it's poetry. And, strangely enough, even though so much pain came along with Sully, he also brought such a depth of feeling and "poetry" if you will. Sully's story will always be a part of Jasper's and so, he is rightly named the "keeper of the poetic". He is such a dear little baby, so hearty, so happy. He gives us so much joy, my Jasper Keats.

7 comments:

domandkat said...

Hmmm.... with a name like that, I expect to be downloading (or whatever we'll be doing then) his album when I'm 65 or so! How could this kid NOT be a musician?

BetnyNonnie said...

He is so absolutely precious! I am so thankful that you have him in your family! God bless!

grammy em lee said...

Wonderful and precious. Child of God.

Em Lee

The Pittsburgh Hites said...

I love the name, it's beautiful!! The new family picture is great too!! I'm glad to see things are going well with Jasper, he's just adorable!

smidgenswife said...

beautiful post..

did i tell you they think i might be having a girl :)

and i have told a few of my friends that it would be so (to use your word) beautifully "poetic" to name a little baby girl Hope within our family... after all our family has gone through :)

Beda said...

I check in with your blog from time to time; your baby Sully's story was so moving, and I have prayed for you. Thank you so much for sharing, you have a gift in expressing yourself so eloquently. I am so very happy that you now have your Jasper Keats, congratulations! What a wonderful name and meaning, he'll be so proud when he is old enough to understand. All my best wishes to the entire family!
~Beda

Erin said...

Heidi,
I just found your blog thanks to my friend, Hillary, but my son and I have enjoyed Sully's Playground to it's fullest. We live on Brandon Ave. and we simply looking for a close, clean, fenced-in place for my 14 month old to play...what we got was a lot more. Our first time visiting the playground we imediately noticed that it was in memory of your sweet Sully but did not know his story. It was not until I spoke with Hillary that she informed me that you were one of the first blogs she ever followed. Thank you so much for sharing your story, your family, your love, and most of all your sweet baby with us. I actually just posted about Sully's playground on my blog talking about how wonderful "this church playground" was and that I wish there was something I could do to give back. Please let me know if help is needed with gardening, trash pick-up, etc. because our family would love to help keep this special spot beautiful. Thank you again for everything and congrats on Jasper!

Erin Hingley
youmeandwipee.blogspot.com