This is the second letter in an ongoing series of letters to my niece who is also my goddaughter. She is the first child in my family that I had the joy of baptizing (I say "I" but I really mean that I got to pour the water and say the words and God did the real work since I can't do anything even remotely close to resembling what God does in baptism).
November 5, 2012
Dear Rose,
Yesterday was All Saints Sunday in church. That’s a day when we remember all of the faithful people who have died in the past year. We light a candle and read their names and we talk about the promise of Christ’s resurrection. It is always very moving for people, especially if they have had a loved one die recently.
There are a few people in your family, Rose, that you will never meet because they had their resurrection time before it was your time to be born. They are still your people though! Most importantly your paternal grandmother, your daddy’s mama. None of us ever had the privilege of meeting her because she died when before your mommy and daddy met. Also, your paternal grandfather, your daddy’s dad who died not long ago, but again before you were born. (Maybe you crossed paths in heaven before you came to us??) Ask your daddy about them when you get older. Have him tell you stories about who they were and what they were like because it is a window into who your dad is and who you are too.
Then there are the people on your mommy’s side, those I know because I am married to your mommy’s brother. There was your great-grandmother Anna Stull who your cousin is named after. Oh how they loved her! She was funny and sweet and smart. That’s grandpa Little’s mother. Grandma Little’s mother was great-grandma Marian Hoskins. She used to give your cousins stuffed animals that she won at bingo. Ask your mama about them because they are your people too and they will show you part of who you are.
You are very lucky, little one, to have your Grandma and Grandpa Little. You have a special relationship with Grandma Little because your first name is part of her name (just like with your middle name was your daddy’s mama’s name). It is so neat to be named after someone; my middle name was my grandma’s first name. But I’m telling you from experience that your grandma and grandpa are the best! They love you so much and you give them such joy. So here’s my advice little girl, when you get old enough to read this letter ask them questions about their lives. Ask them questions about growing up, how hard it was, what they liked to do, where they met (back in junior high!!) and what it was like to be parents to your mommy. You will find out a lot about who you are when you talk to them and hear their stories.
The saints in our lives (and you are a saint young lady by virtue of your baptism) give us so much. They love us, they encourage us to be faithful followers of Christ, they look out for us and help us grow in faith, love and service to the world. Hearing their stories strengthens us for the journey of faith and reminds us where we have come from and who we are. You are surrounded by wonderful people, Rose, so take advantage of their experiences as you grow into who God has created you to be.
I love you sweetheart,
Aunt Amy
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