For Zeke

Up until the moment the baby was born, we kept his name a secret. I know that some people figured we didn't want to share the name because we selected a "creative" name. While a lot of unusual names were suggested (by me mainly) for a girl early on, I think we always had a strong sense of what name we would pick for Sprout and didn't go through that process. And, once we knew his name, we wanted to keep his name close to us. Maybe part of it was to add some drama or to deflect other people's comments. However, I think we kept it secret because it was meant to be a gift -- a gift to our baby and a gift to those who love another Zeke.

Sprout is not the first "Zeke" in our family. Our child is named in memory of Aaron's brother, Tobias Ezekiel Cobb. Zeke was Aaron's big brother and best friend who shared everything with him. While I never met him, I know Zeke was an outgoing and friendly child; I have never seen a photo of Zeke where he didn't have a broad smile and his arm around Aaron. Zeke died in an accident when he was 12. Memories of him are warm and alive, but his passing, I think, left a space that could not be filled. Our Zeke does not fill that space, but will live with all the love that the first Zeke received and gave.

Zeke on the left and Aaron next to him on the right.