A week ago, I shared this little post on Instagram along with a note that my daughter’s middle name is an homage to her plucky great-great-grandmother, Lucia, who emigrated from Frosolone, Italy to Ellis Island, in 1909.
Graphic via Heather Hurt
I’ve written about this naming, and what it means to me, in the past, observing:
“It brings me peace to know that my daughter carries a small ledger of family history in her name. When she was born, I thought that it would be beautiful to celebrate, linguistically, this small part of my Italian-American heritage. It mattered to me that she inherited the full name — Lucia — rather than the Americanized Lucy: it is as though her middle name carries multiple generations. It defies time and cultural erosion. And Emory could do absolutely nothing to learn about her family history, and still she will be exercising it every time she signs her name, or spells it out for someone over the phone — “L as in Larry, u as in umbrella, c as in charlie…”
Perhaps even more meaningfully, each time she draws the loop of the cursive “L,” she will be blindly reflecting my adoration for my father, who had a particular devotion to his grandmother. Truthfully, her middle name is a modest honorarium to my father’s tender heart more than anything else. I knew it would bring him some small happiness to encounter his grandmother’s name with such unexpected routineness once my daughter was born, and I made it so.”
I realized only a few years ago that her name is also shared with the patron saint of vision and blindness. I write about this in the introduction to my book, but — that coincidence bowled me over, as Emory has gracefully navigated an eye condition called amblyopia since she was just shy of two years old, and it has meant years and years of occlusion therapy (wearing an eye patch for long periods of time every day in order to strengthen her affected eye). I had no idea she was carrying this hidden talisman all these years. It gives me the most profound feeling of wellbeing to think of the grace that waits for us if we are willing to look for it. It might be hidden in a name, disguised in a quiet act of service, sitting outside our backdoors in the form of a bird that becomes a personal avatar for resilience or the neighbor who dropped off dinner because she heard we were a sick house.
The power of a name, wow —
Anyhow, Magpies on Instagram responded to that post by sharing their own namesake stories, and it was moving to see how many of us share a name with a strong, beloved female relative. We become extensions of their love, continuations of their spirit. Gorgeous. Something to be precious with, for sure.
One Magpie replied and said she was named after “a smart, can-do woman my dad knew in college.”
I was electrified by this comment! It gave me the same warm laundry feeling that I get when I think that someone probably still checks the weather in your city. I say this because I discovered recently that my husband checks the weather in the Norwegian city in which my brother and his family live. It struck me as the tenderest gesture of concern and curiosity. It felt the same as my Dad saying, knowing only the barest bones of the situation: “You’re doing the right thing.” That kind of standing-in-the-door-frame love. Not intruding, not asking or demanding, not saying “you know what you should do?” All warm presence and nodding proximity.
This led me to think about all my favorite “warm laundry” thoughts:
Little libraries in people’s yards
Namesakes that honor plucky grandmothers
The thought that someone still checks the weather in your city
The existence of the word Nachbarschaftshilfe (“neighborly help”) and its many manifestations in my own life
Bedtime rain — a good, heavy storm to sleep to
Those light-gathering people in public-facing roles who spread daily joy to hundreds of people — the enthusiastic crossing guard, the friendly bus driver, the tender-hearted receptionist (we all know them – the ones with a tagline like: “make it a good day!”)
Someone running after a stranger with a dropped glove or wallet
Other parents cheering on your child at a sporting event
“I set this aside for you because I knew you’d appreciate it”
A dog bowl outside of a boutique
My niece asking for a bathrobe for Christmas because “it sounded warm and cozy”
The idea that stores like Wild Birds Unlimited exists
“Help yourself!”
When someone calls me — genuinely — “sweetie” or “honey” at just the right moment*
That feeling that everything is actually going to be OK
*This might be controversial and there are certainly times where I hate these terms, but nothing warms me more than being called a surprise term of endearment when I really need the gentleness — i.e., at a doctor’s office, in a busy grocery store being flagged into a new lane, etc.
Post-Scripts.
+More thoughts on names we love.
Shopping Break.
+A rare 25% off a great selection of Alice Walk staples with code AW25. They almost never run sales, and if they do, it’s usually 20% off! The two items I must rave about: this mockneck sweater (a thinner knit with a nice long, lean line and great colors — as with all Alice Walk, just feels fabulous on, with soft, breathable cotton) and of course their iconic cotton weekender, which is the first item I ordered from them and I immediately fell head over heels. Both of these are perfect transition-to-spring buys. Sale ends today!
+Big sale ongoing at Julia Amory — patterned poplin shorts for $63?! (so chic with a white tank) and shell tops for $68 (<<so cute with white jeans for spring)! This navy shirtdress is also a classic, and currently a great value (a J. Crew price for a much higher quality piece).
+Not on sale, because this is my toxic trait in life, but how gorgeous is the new robin’s egg blue linen Gracie?!
+You Magpies are LOVING this colorblocked fleece for spring! Pair with a fun new spring color paletted pair of Techlooms.
+Handsome leather barrel chair — this belongs in Mr. Magpie’s study! While you’re there, two other home finds on sale: this chic raffia side table and this style-forward green twin bed. The latter would be so cute in a top floor bunk type room or a child’s room. Love the green color!
+Really cute school photo keepers and personalized keepsake boxes — I really like the design of the latter, with a different file for each year. I currently keep my kids’ special art and report cards and the like in a big heap in a box in our attic…
+That twin bed would look SO good with the new spring sheets (green florette color) I got my daughter. (I got my son these handsome stripes in the white/mineral color, and for some reason he absolutely loves them?! He has really fun other patterns for his sheets — alligators from Lewis Home and dogs from PBK — so he sort of caught me off guard when he said, “Mama, I love my new bed blankets!”)
+BTW, did you see my friend Riley’s new sheets for PBK?! SO CHARMING, as is her entire collection — can you even handle this Easter basket bow situation, or this dresser, or these melamine plates for Easter?! Meanwhile, I would have swooned over this Boppy cover if I were welcoming a newborn!
+I can’t help myself around a denim shirtdress. Just ordered this for spring. Cute with a boot now, a flat or loafers later, and a leather sandal much later.
+Cutest mini boat and totes with eyelet detail — I ordered one of these for my daughter! She was asking for “a tote” (lol) and I thought this was sweet. While you’re there, reminder that these are such great tees to throw on over athleisure / with jeans as a sort of hybrid between tee and sweatshirt. Currently on sale but nearly sold out of the great pink/white combo I ordered. I took an XS and finds it runs boxy — take your true size and it will still have a lived-in, oversized look. A great look for less for the AYR early morning tee we all know and love.
+Perfect white blouse. Also love these gingham shorts from the same brand.
+Sweet pointelle cardigan! I’d wear this with nothing beneath, unbuttoned a few buttons, and tucked into jeans like these.
+Love these gift enclosures, and how cute are these waterproof labels for kids’ stuff?
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Hi Jen – I saw in another post this week that you’re thinking of visiting Norway this summer. I did the same thing last year (Denmark to see cousins and Norway) with my 3 and 7 year olds, and it was an amazing trip. My favorite day in Norway was visiting Gripen Gard Farm, about an hour outside of Bergen (https://www.visitnorway.com/listings/gripen-gard-and-rural-time-travels/221762/). This link makes it seem much more official than our visit was (in the best way!) – I just emailed Helena and set up a day for our family to visit, and she asked us what we’d like to do/see/learn. It ended up being a favorite family memory (me for the restored farmhouse, delicious homemade lunch, and beautiful vintage sweater; my kids for the amazing animals they got to play with; and my husband for the picturesque hike to a cold mountain lake). If you’re passing through Bergen, it’s worth checking out!