The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 82 - Naming over Dinner

"No, I suppose not," Susan said as they ate. "Maybe we should start by asking the question of Rabbi Sloane, see what he says?"

"Are you certain?" Greg asked tentatively.
"I think so. I do like the idea of a naming ceremony at home, as long as we could design the ceremony to be inclusive only of those things we are both comfortable with. If it turns out the Jewish ceremony does not assume the child will become Jewish, then I'm happy with the idea of starting with that."

"But you would like to add in the component of parental vows from the infant dedication," Greg recognized.

"I wouldn't call them vows precisely, but yes. I think some statement on our part as to how she will be raised in regards to faith would be appropriate. After all, our approach for how to avoid religious conflict in our house is not by avoiding it, but by understanding it as much as possible and by supporting each other's faith and the expression of that faith in whatever form of religion it may take," Susan said.

Greg thought about what she was saying as he concentrated on his meal. Neither of them spoke for quite a little while. Finally, when they were closer to the end of their meal, Greg did.

"Susan, I have a proposition for you," he began. "Your gift is for rhythm or the timing of things. You sense that it there is a need for and the timing is right to consider a naming ceremony for our daughter. I will defer to you on that. I quite agree. However my gift, if you will, is harmony. I believe our main concern about such a ceremony is how to conduct it in a way that will celebrate and build on the harmony of faith we've managed to establish and foster in our home. We are united in our faith in the Lord. Our hearts are one in that regard. To bring specific religious elements into that which highlight instead our differences, takes away from the strength we have gained as a couple and a family based on faith. Do you agree?"

"Yes. But how do we do that and preserve our harmony?" Susan asked.

"My proposal and my request is that you leave that up to me. I will consult you of course, but I would like your permission to work with Rabbi Sloane to design a ceremony which meets ours and Melody's needs. We've been given the gift of an angel of the Lord to raise. I see in her the need to dedicate her life to His purpose, whatever that may be. Our role will simply be to give her the tools and the support she needs in order to do what she was sent to do."

Susan nodded. "So far so good. You do have a gift for wording things in a harmonious way. Do you have something specific you would like to include?"

"I do. I would like to touch on the idea that she is a gift from the Lord through the use of specific prayers used during the ceremony. She is here for the Lord's reason, but it is our privilege to give her a name. We know from experience how very significant that is," Greg said.

"Yes, we do," Susan agreed. "We each have a name apart from the label this life has given us."

"Yes, we do. And I would like the ceremony to reflect that. Somehow I feel certain for Melody this will be her spirit's naming ... I feel she is fresh from heaven, new to this earth. If she is destined to live again, this will be the name she carries with her for all eternity," Greg said.

Susan thought about this as the check came.

"Okay," she agreed. "Talk to Rabbi Sloane. Tell him what we've both said. After you do, let me know what you come up with."

"Do you have an idea when the ceremony should be?" Greg asked.

"The first Saturday after she is home," Susan said without thinking.

"On the Sabbath?" Greg asked.

"Oh ... Should it be on the Sabbath?" Susan asked backpedaling slightly.