Friday, August 26, 2011

Driving my 8-year-old cousin to football practice.

Jack: "How do you say 'football' in Spanish?"

Me: "Fútbol americano".

"How do you say, 'running back'?"

"No idea."

"How do you say, 'Jack'?"

"Joaquim."

"How do you say, Luke?" (his best friend)

"Lucás."

"How do you say, Max?" (his other best friend)

I have no idea... "Um, Mateo."

He leans back in my passenger seat. "What would your name be if you could change it? Or would it still be Emily?"

"Mm, I think I like Emily. Would yours still be Jack?"

He ponders this, staring out the window. "No... I don't think so."

I think about the excitement in our extended family as emails went out when his mom and dad were choosing his name. He was the second baby in his generation (his dad is my first cousin). There have been four more since, and we love them all just as much, but the email-chains over name choices did die down somewhat after about number three. I remember hearing he would be Jack.

"Oh yeah? What would you change it to?"

He tilts his head to one side. "I think... probably 'Awesome'."

Grin. "I love it."

"Yeah. I'd change my last name to Awesome. And my middle name to The. But I'd leave my first name Jack." He grins, satisfied. "Yeah. Then my name would be Jack The Awesome. That would be good."


Can't say what a blessing it is to be living in the same town as them.

1 comment:

Blanca Marin said...

Kids are so adorable! And they say the cutest things sometimes! Enjoy your time with them, sweetheart, cause they sure do grow up fast!

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As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

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Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.