What's in a Name

I wanted to take a few minutes and explain the significance of Chloe's name. First a little background. In 1995, my mom (Elaine) was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease. It's a debilitating neurological disease that causes your muscles to no longer work. Eventually, it leaves you trapped in a body that won't do what you tell it too. Mom was sick for 7 years and passed away in 2002. She was unable to speak for the last 2 years of her life, but was able to use her computer to type notes using a special device. She had written me a note for my Birthday, but at the very bottom of the letter had written, "I have a suggestion for a name for your 4th daughter." This is where I need to stop and explain a couple of things. All 3 of our biological daughters have first and middle names that are taken from the Bible. We wanted to demonstrate to them through their names just how important God's Word, the Bible, is to us. By our 3rd daughter, we struggling a little to find a name combination that we were really pleased with and had asked Mom for some suggestions. Thus, she knew we wanted to use Biblical names. However, at the time she made her last suggestions, we had no intention of having another child, let alone a 4th daughter. Now, looking back, we can say that maybe she knew something that we didn't. It gives us great joy to be able to give our new Chinese baby the name she suggested. Even though she can't be here to share in our joy, we will let Chloe know that her 'Mama' was thinking about her many years ago and has passed a little of herself on to her through a name.

Chloe Gabrielle (Min) Beach