What's In A Name

Dear Kathryn,
I write these letters to your brother all the time and felt like it was time for you to get your own letter.  I've been thinking alot the past few days about what a name means.  Your dad and I both have very meaningful family names, and your brother does too.  For you, it is the same. 

You are named after your grammie Kathryn Ann, who everyone called Kathy.  She died a little over two months ago to a long fight with leukemia.  She was a spirited, teeny little woman, who was the size of a pixie with the strength of a lion.  You are also named Lyn, after three strong, intelligent, and resilient women.  One is your aunt mally.  She was the baby dreamed of for years, and finally realized by a miracle when your gigi was in her forties.  The other two are your gigi and your great grandmother, Linda and Evelyn.  One lost a child, and one battled and overcame breast cancer, and in addition, a plethora of challenges and obstacles that taught me, your mom, how to live with grace, strength, and dignity. 

As you encounter this fight of your life, before you are even born, I pray that you remember where you came from: a LONG line of strong, capable, smart women, and YOU are just the same. 

Right now, despite this fight, you are moving and kicking around inside of me like nothing is wrong, like nothing is phasing you whatsoever.  Right now, to me, you are absolutely perfect.

I have faith in you, little girl, and I have faith in my God.