One of the things that the Lord placed on my heart after our recent miscarriage was to give our little one a name. Since we lost our first child, Andrew, so late in my pregnancy, we had already named him and there was certainly no going back. I’m glad we had already decided on a name, otherwise I might have been too confused during my grief to know whether it was appropriate to name a stillborn child.
We were able to find out that the baby we miscarried this past October was another little boy. I was about 8 weeks along and names were nowhere on my radar. But, after the dust had settled a bit, I felt really compelled to name him, just as we had our other son who was in heaven.
There’s no long and detailed story behind his name. After discussing my desire to name him with Kev, I silently prayed about it for a few weeks. It eventually just came to me.
I’ve always liked the name Charlie and it was on my short list of names when we were expecting Brady. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it means “free man.” Perhaps it’s fitting that our other little boy in heaven has a name that reminds me he is a free man…free from all the sin and pain in this world. Free to enjoy the fullness of heaven and free to enjoy Jesus face-to-face.
His middle name is a family name and I honestly just liked the way it sounded together. I love using family names for middle names and I just loved the way it sounded. It doesn’t get much simpler than that, does it? 🙂
It might not feel right for every family to name their miscarried children, but it feels right to me. Savannah knows about Andrew {as much as she can understand at her age} and I talk about Charlie some as well, but she doesn’t quite know who he is yet. My kids will get there, and in the meantime, I just really like being able to call each of my children by name. 🙂
I love that you named your son….even though his time here with you was so so short, he is a part of your family! Praying for you as you continue to heal!!
Thanks, Kristin! I totally agree and love being able to use his name rather than "the baby we miscarried." 🙂
I love the name and I love that you named him. I have loved knowing each of my 3 siblings and my 3 nephews in heaven by name. For me, solidifies them as members of our family when I can talk about them as not just a it, he, or she. Love the name!
The name solidifies it for me as well, too! I was getting a little frustrated with saying, "the baby we miscarried" when we'd talk about him. Thanks for the encouragement!
Sarah, I love the name and that you shared that with us. A baby (or anyone for that matter) feels more real to us when they have a name. So thankful for the time that Charlie was here and lessons learned during that time for you and your family. God is faithful, then, now and forever!
Amen! Couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks, dear friend! 🙂
What a lovely name and I think, if it makes you feel better, then naming him is the right thing to do. I do have to point out though – your sons are A,B and C in that order…not sure if that was intentional? 🙂
Oh my goodness! I hadn't even noticed that, but you are absolutely right! It wasn't intentional, but it's sort of quirky! 🙂
I completely understand and empathize with your desire to name this child, sarah. I think it's a lovely name and I believe that if it brings you even more closure, it's a great thing. Again, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Thanks for your support, Erin! 🙂
I watch the Dugger family on T.V..and have learned so much from just listening, following along with the time when they were expecting their last baby, then finding it's little heart no longer beating, telling their children , naming her,and then burying her… It was one of the most beautifully touching , soul stirring things I've had the privilege to have shared with me…Glorifying , Praising, God all the way through… Your love for your family, your little ones, is just the same, beautiful . We've had miscarriage in our family too, and we are so looking forward to seeing them again.. What a sweet name for your little one.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss as well. Seeing them again in heaven will be so wonderful! 🙂
I love it! I know that your Charlie & his big brother, along with my David, Amanda, & Joseph and my grand babies are very much apart of our families by giving them a place, a name! It has helped us so much as well as my other children to call them by name. I am thankful that you were able to get a picture of him! I love his name too!
Thanks, Robyn! I knew you had named your babies in heaven, but couldn't remember all of them, so I'm glad you mentioned them again for me! Thanks for your encouragement! 🙂