(Top picture- my mom with me when I was about 1- she is SO beautiful! Hope I look half as good as her at any age! Bottom picture- my Grandmother Wyers and I at "the Farm").
Naming a child is tough! Anybody else feel this way? The weight of that responsibility is heavy and the fact that they will carry that name for their entire lives is not lost on Jason and I. It took us 8 months to name Harper and we didn't tell anyone after we finally did come up with a name for fear that they would somehow make us change our minds. Today I can't picture Harper by any other name and when I think about the other options we had I cringe because they just don't fit her. Thankfully with Jack we had his name picked out for years before we decided to have children. And we were even more confident in our choice when we found out it meant "God is gracious". When it came time to name this newest little guy we had lots of name options that we liked, but didn't feel like they were right for our child. Finally, after months of spreadsheets, crossing names off, trying out names to see what they sound like when we say them, and opinions from 4 year olds, we have picked a name!
Hendrix Michael Martin
Hendrix Michael Martin
My mom's mom was known as "Grandmother Wyers" to our family. Though she died when I was in 5th grade I always felt very close to her (as I'm sure she made all her grandchildren feel!) and have very sweet memories of our times together. My grandmother's maiden name was Hendrix. When she was in high school the state ran out of money to fund the school and so her school was closed. By the time there were enough funds to open the schools again she had already married my grandfather and married students weren't allowed to attend. This led to her passion for education. Eventually she worked with Congressman Carl Elliott, who was also a champion for education and he passed the National Defense Education Act (read more about Carl Elliott here).
My Grandmother Wyers always "had my back". She believed me when others didn't and stuck up for me (see: that time it snowed in April or May in north Alabama and no one believed me when I looked out the window and said I saw snow!). That makes an impression on a child!
Even after my family moved to California and Virginia we returned to visit my grandparents farm for several weeks each summer. We stayed in a house down the street from their home. I would wake up very early each morning and walk down the road in my pajamas (often in the dark). My grandmother would be awake and I would sit on her lap while she drank her tea or coffee, either on the porch or in front of their picture window, and watch the sun rise and the birds come to eat at the feeders. Those memories of the way the humid, summer air smelled, the smell of their house, and how loved I felt are so vivid. I am so thankful for such precious memories.
So when it came time to pick a name, a name that to us embodies passion for education, love, and a sweet spirit was the perfect choice. While Hendrix technically means ruler of the home, we hope he'll take after his great grandmother Valeria Hendrix Wyers! And while some may think he is named after Jimi Hendrix (who was a fabulous guitarist and we pray our Hendrix inherits his Poppa's guitar playing ability) our hope is that in character he is more like his great grandmother than a famous guitarist.
Michael is a strong name that appears in both of our families. Most importantly, my dad's name is Michael! It means "Who is like God?". Harper likes Michael best out of all the archangels because he is said to have a flaming sword!
So, those are our thoughts behind the name of our newest family member. We can't wait to put a face with the name!
My grandmother helping me celebrate a birthday! I wonder what she would think about the internet (or her picture being on a blog!).
