Namesake

The blue and white stone trinkets rattled against each other as the shopper sifted through, searching for her name. “Edith”, “Edna”, then a jump to “Erica”. She quickly canvassed the remainder of the boutique, certain that her moniker would not be found within. She had plodded about the waterfront village hoping that the arty venue would be the first to carry apparel or ornaments fashioned with her signature, a rare name indeed. Placidly, she relinquished her pursuit and headed toward the docks to watch the red-streaked sunset. 

Growing up, I was uncomfortable with my name, a combination of the French names of my parents, and having no independent meaning on its own. Unlike Edith which means “rich war” or Edna signifying “tenderness”, my searches always yielded “no result”.  Instead, whenever meeting new classmates or being called upon by an instructor, I braced myself for the butchering that would ensue followed by unwelcomed nicknames and teasing. I was even grouped with male students on one very mortifying occasion when a substitute could not decipher my gender from the roll book.

As time went on, some of those nicknames stuck. If you address me as “Ed”, consider yourself lucky. I retired that label soon after high school but its deemed a term of affection from my oldest and dearest friends. “Mire” is generally reserved for my close law school companions. Nothing bonds you more than going through the fire of a 1L curriculum or getting passed the bar examination. We are practically family if you double down and chide me with “Mire Mire” with no penalty.

Time and again and after countless greetings spent correcting and explaining, I have grown to appreciate the opportunity to connect on a personal level. Discussing one’s name is supremely benign on the totem pole of conversation starters and thus, kindness is easily at the forefront of every exchange. From there, discipleship is possible. Admittedly, God’s leading is a crucial ingredient. But I have realized that my name, though unique and seemingly meaningless, allowed God to fill me with meaning. Once a burden, it now guides me to treasure the reach and connections in those precious first moments of an encounter.

Now, as a working professional, I muse at the occasional “mister” referenced on incoming correspondence. I never hesitate to clarify my salutation but with levity. I am reminded that a sliver of generosity opens the door for Light to shine through. There is comfort in knowing that God will grant us grace to shoulder a perceived hurdle and turn it into a gift or blessing to others. We are called to abide in that grace.

Kindest regards,

Edmire

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20.