Zoe

I woke at 4 this morning and lay thinking about the day ahead, the day when my grand daughter Zoe would be born. Across the Tasman, in Sydney, my daughter in law would still be sleeping, I hoped, ready for the huge day ahead. I had Skyped with her and Nick and Naomi last night and she looked so tired and so uncomfortable in the last hours of her great task. Nick was calm and focused. Naomi was transferring her energies into a game she had devised; "the opposite game" where she made statements which were the opposite of what she wanted to say. Hi Grandma (meaning Grandpa), I'm very sad to see you. Things are bad here in Sydney, I'm very unexcited....

Charmayne's parents arrived while we were talking, in order to collect Naomi for the night. We greeted and made small talk (what do you say at such a poignant moment?) made our farewells, then waited for this latest one of us to arrive. Which she did, at about 9:30 this morning, our time. Zoe Yin-Mei. It is such a beautiful name, and so alive with meaning . She peers blearily out of the photographs I have of her, her little face blotchy from her arduous journey and her tiny fingers curled in a tight blue fist. Her name means life and is a statement of hope and determination and intent, for her and for me. How can I love her so much, whom I have never yet seen? How can I wish her so well?

In a fortnight we will make the trip across the ditch to meet her properly and to celebrate Naomi's 5th birthday. But this morning I woke, drank tea in the frozen darkness, and sat in the silence of my study, thinking of Zoe as she journeyed earthward.

Travel well, little one, this day and all your days, may your name define you and reflect what you bring to all around you.

Comments

Kate said…

Happy sigh.

8 August 2016 at 16:30

Elaine Dent said…

Many blessings to Zoe and all who love and care for her.

8 August 2016 at 22:32

Kelvin Wright said…

Zoe - Greek for "life"; Mei - Cantonese for "Beautful". Yin - prefix signifying femininity

9 August 2016 at 14:09

Father Ron said…

Congratulations, Grandpa! Diana and I, too, have a Zoe - full og life at the age of 7. a great joy to her parents and G.P.s. What a great Blessing grandchildren are! Deo gratias!

14 August 2016 at 00:21

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