I came across this picture today of Evelyn McNair, otherwise known as Mama John. She was Steven's grandmother, the woman we are so proud to have named our little girl after. She passed away a few months ago and the world just isn't the same place.
Steven's sister, Sadie, had the gumption to put together a really awesome book of photos and words that we wanted to share with the grandparents right before Mama John got really sick. Here's what I wrote. It pretty much sums up the way I feel about her....
When Steven and I were excitedly expecting our child, there was only one name we could think of that seemed right if we were to have a girl. And when our tiny and beautiful daughter was born and I looked at her sweet face and first called her “Evelyn”, I knew the name we chose for her was perfect. It wasn’t just because the name Evelyn is lovely and unique or because it is a name taken from a family member that made it so right for our daughter. It’s a perfect name because she was named after you and when she grows up we hope that she will be like you. When Evelyn grows older it is my hope that others will be reminded of you through her. I hope that when she first meets someone she will take sincere interest in their life and welcome them into hers. I hope she’ll be able to draw in those around her with intriguing stories of her life. I hope she will have that kind of graceful beauty that lights up a room and draws everyone else to it. I hope she will have the same devotion and loyalty to her family that keeps them glued together through times of happiness and trial. I hope she will always have the heart to learn about the world and people around her. I hope she will grow in wisdom and poise and be able to share it with her children and grandchildren. I hope she will be true to herself and go after the things in life that stir her soul. And I hope she will always carry that childlike spark of wit and charm that can make others laugh.
There is no mistake in having named our precious and wonderful daughter after you. It is a name that encompasses such greatness and elegance that my heart swells with pride knowing she carries with her a part of you. And I will always be filled with gratefulness knowing you have given to her pieces of yourself.
--Mama John, you are truly missed....
