Letters to Joseph-September...Naming You

We wanted to wait until we had some time alone with you before we decided on your name. We had several choices picked out...all really lovely names. You’ll ask me in the years to come why we named you Joseph Ladd so I want you to know the story. If you have times in your life when you don’t like it, I’ll understand because I felt the same way about my name. I even went by my middle name ‘Jane’ for several years to try to be a little more mainstream. It didn’t stick because it wasn’t me. Everyone expected us to choose a really unusual name for you since your Dad and I have fairly unusual names. Besides the fact that I truly believe that you just are Joseph, I was drawn to the idea that though this name is not necessarily unusual, you are, so your life will be and an unusual name does not ensure an unusual life.

The morning after our first night with you...we all woke up together. We stayed in bed snuggling and your Dad looked over at me and said...I think he's Joseph Ladd. I smiled and agreed, feeling a warmth over the realization. I called my darling friend Allison in New York and told her first. She couldn’t be at your birth like my other close people, so I wanted to share your name with her before anyone else.

Thirty years ago, when my brother, your Uncle Asa was born, I wanted Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Steve to name him Joseph. I was in pre-school at the time at Sun Bow School. There was a boy there who I thought was very nice. I remember that he was very polite, kind, and genuine, qualities not often found, or at least easily noticed, in a 4 year old boy. I hoped my new brother would be like him. As it turned out, I was allowed to choose my new brother's middle name, hence, Asa Joseph. Later, my most beloved dog became Seamus Joseph. Something about the strong simplicity of it sounds like music to me. I have no idea where the original Joseph in my life ended up, but this name has threaded its way through my life so strongly, that I shouldn't be surprised that you are Joseph.

In the weeks following your birth, sometimes people called you Joe or Joey. I must say that I didn’t name you those names …you just don’t seem like a Joe or Joey to us. If you decide someday that one of them suits you, it’s up to you, but the nickname that seems to be sticking these days is Josey. There’s a Western movie with Clint Eastwood called “The Outlaw Josey Wales”. We like Josey because it’s fun and unusual and it suits you. “Josey Ladd and Dakota Jane”…we’re a formidable pair!