In the last 29 years or so, I have been lucky to have known some amazing people...a handful of these people gentlemen, and among these gentlemen
NATHANS! Let me introduce you to each of them...
...in no particular order...
I would like you to meet
Nathan...
How would you feel if you if you had a baby named after you? Such an honor? Such a responsibility? Such a burden? I can't imagine what Nathan felt when he was told that my youngest brother was going to be named after him, but I have never seen anything to be disappointed about. I don't have many memories of the two boys together while Nathan was young, but the one thing I remember was the kindness in his eyes. Funny, though the years have passed, that one trait can be still be said of Nathan. When he looks at you you see kindness and honor. Oh that my eyes could be filled with the same kindness.
I have the pleasure of introducing you to
Nathan...
This particular Nathan was/is the name sake for my oldest child, he is also my youngest brother. Though he wasn't alive when my baby was born I truly believe he was nearby. He was invested in this small child and had been for quite some time. Even though this particular Nathan didn't live to adulthood I saw many things that left me in awe...due to the condition of Nathan's heart he spent a quite a lot of time in the hospital. One particular stay I was blessed to be a witness to this specific event...Nathan and I had spent the afternoon together and had gone back to his room to rest or watch a movie. We weren't in his room for very long when he picked up his toy dinosaur and walked out. He walked it down the hall a door or two and entered another little boy's room. Nathan walked over to the bed of this little boy and placed the small toy into his hand. This other little boy couldn't respond verbally but his hand closed around the dinosaur as Nathan explained that the toy was for him to keep. Oh that I may be looking for others to help even while in the midst of my own trials.
May I introduce you to
Nathan...
Nathan was introduced to me by my husband...he is my husband's best friend actually. We have given this particular Nathan the honorary title of "Uncle". Never have I met a young man that was more of gentleman than Nathan. He is quiet and he is kind. When I think of the reasons the name Nathan was included in the naming of my son, this is the other reason. I couldn't love a kid more for being my hubby's best friend, for being there for him all of these years. For adopting me as a friend when my husband and I were married. For being the best man at our wedding, for being around to support both of us when our children were born and blessed. If we did god-parents this Nathan would definitely be given the job. For eating all of the candy in the candy jar before I could. :) May I always be a good friend.
Introducing
Nathan...well Nathaniel
This young man has a zeal and zest for life that is contagious. This is the child that at age two could use the word contrail correctly in a sentence. (For those of you who aren't sure...the contrail is the cloudy trail a jet leaves behind in the sky.) He could explain why a windmill has a light on top and how a steam engine works way before he could tell you his colors. The other day wasn't any different. "Would you like to see something?" He proceeded to completely fill up a pitcher of water and then stuck his hand into it sending water spilling down the sides..."Did you see that? That is water displacement." I mean really! May I always have his zeal for learning.
and last but not least...
Nathan.
(I will include a picture later if and when his sweet mom gives permission...just know this kid is darling!)
I was blessed to have just received a card and a very generous gift from this young man. No, those tokens of kindness is not what got him on my Nathan list. His kind deed actually took place many years ago. I was luck enough to be his first grade teacher. I was having a particularly rough teaching day...during the last few minutes of class I had a parent come in and firmly exclaim how unhappy she was with some decisions I had made. I was shocked and hurt but the first concern was the safety of all the first graders still present in my room. I was trying to guide my students out of my classroom when Nathan came up to me and quietly took my hand. He was hurt that I had been treated that way and concerned for me. He didn't want to leave me alone, in case this parent decided to return. It took a bit of convincing but my little knight-in-shining-armor finally agreed to leave my side and head into the other classroom. I was touched by this young boys simple love and concern. May I always have love for other people, and show my love for them through words and deeds.
So to the Nathans in my life I thank you.
*Note: If you know a Nathan that does not live up to his name, please don't tell me, I would like the name to continue to bring a smile to my lips.
