I had a unique opportunity to recite poetry this weekend in honor of my father's journey of healing through art since his motorcycle accident about one and a half years ago, and I was honored and humbled to speak to such an intense and amazing work of the Spirit.

As an added bonus, I was asked to tell the story of how my children came to be named Noelle and Gabriel. Stunned, I was taken by the hand and lead to the front of the room, where I was blessed to honor my children with a story of who they are in my life. Here's what I discovered as I spoke on my children:

I am not sure if I believe that babies pick their names as they are developing within their mothers, or if the name that parents pick develops into the baby as they are growing...the only thing that stumps me is people with the ability to name their baby on the birth day...which makes me lean more towards the idea that babies bring their names down. I picture them squeezing into their birthday suits with their 'soul tags' affixed or sort of tatooed on somewhere. (Ah, a girl can wonder, can't she?)

Noelle is a name that means 'joyous birth', and my experience of her at birth and beyond is truly, true joy. Noelle meets life as a song, she moves and sways with life...she dances across rooms, and leaps and bounces wherever she goes. She lights up rooms, is an encouragement to her friends, her brother and her parents, and she is a reminder that LIFE IS GOOD. It is hard not to laugh with her, harder to see her hurt or to stumble (and for a graceful song she stumbles a lot!). It's hard to remember life before her song started playing, even while pregnant I would sing loudly and dance with her. On the long nights when she would cry I would sing and move with her, trying my best to get her back in a peaceful rhythm. She has been through some really tough times with me, and through it all she's remained positive that LIFE IS GOOD, and she is an absolute treasure from God.

My Gabriel is named after the privileged heavenly messenger sent to announce the arrival of the Liberating King, Jesus. It is only likely, that it is his very nature to bring awareness to this reality here and now. My son lives part of his life in another world. He sings, plays, walks and talks with unseen 'folk' for the greater part of the day, and is first to be fast asleep at night. He is so very dreamy, and I love it. His very nature is an announcement to the world that something exists beyond what we see. His smoosh face hugs and kisses keep this mama warm & soft when I feel like a cold hard stone. His laugh and smile make the world a better place, he is truly angelic to me (though devilishly boyish at times) and I embrace all that he brings.

This next baby? Well, so far, we've been sensing some pretty strong emotional elements with this new baby. Passion. I am still listening to names as they whisper across my cheek, hoping to hear something clearly...it will come, and it will be truly their own.