Gardenia just found out that she's 10 weeks pregnant. She tied the knot with her husband, Posey, 10 & 1/2 weeks ago. Nowadays, it's so rare to go by "old" traditions. So many babies out of wedlock for the past several decades. The couple doesn't care about being labeled as "old fashioned" nowadays because they hate society's new trends. (Or so they thought.)
One thing Gardenia & Posey have in common is that growing up, they were both picked on & made fun of because of their given names. Another thing, is that they were named after flowers. People especially gave Posey the side eye because he's a male with a name related to a flower.
The couple was cuddled up in the reclining chair, trying to pick out some baby names from the book, "100,001 Best Baby Names: The Complete Book of Baby Names" by Lesley Bolton. Gardenia was looking for a quick fix. She was so excited & figured she was having a baby girl. She wants to pass on the flower baby names tradition, but Posey wants something better. He thinks they're going to have a boy, & he wants to name him Hezekiah Lazarus. Names from the Bible. They started having a debate.
Posey said, "Ok, can we just compromise?"
Gardenia bit her lip & replied, "It depends".
He asked, "Depends on...?"
She started to get a little dramatic & say, "Ugh? What if it's something crazier than OUR names, honey?"
He was like, "Oh, gimme a break! Remember that scripture where Jesus talked mentioned 'Consider the lilies'. I mean, Lily doesn't sound bad, huh?"
Luke 12:27
“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”
King James Version (KJV)
&
Matthew 6:28
“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:”
King James Version (KJV)
She put her head down & said, "You're right. Lily sounds more sensible than Gardenia. I just don't want any of our children to repeat what we went through, growing up. The kids at school used to compare my name to the gangs of Gardena, California. I HATED my name to be associated with that!"
Posey said, "Well, YOU'RE the one who wanted to continue on with the flower name tradition, & I wanted to use biblical names. So, I thought we could compromise & blend ideas together. Or do you NOT wanna do that? I mean, they're going to have to answer to God for making fun."
Gardenia told him, "Ok. How about Tamar Lily for a girl & Hezekiah Sage for a boy?"
He started laughing & said, "Oh, so people can start associating her with Tamar Braxton & the plastic surgery? I REALLY had my heart set on naming my boy, Hezekiah Lazarus. because of the persecution Hezekiah went through in the Old Testament, & what Lazarus went through in the New Testament."
She's like, "Ok, well if that's the case... You don't think people would mock & make fun of him & associate him with the gospel singer, "Hezekiah Walker? & if he starts explaining the rich man & Lazarus story of the Bible? I mean, do you REALLY want him to be associated with that stigma? I mean, what if he ends up being cursed with homelessness & poverty FOR REAL, because of his name being Lazarus?"
Posey sighed. He said, "Let's go to bed now. To be continued."
Time went on, & Gardenia was 8 months pregnant. She didn't want to get an ultrasound. She wanted everything to be a surprise, so she wouldn't have to worry about any New Age gender reveal parties. She picked out ALL girl clothes. Nothing for a boy. Posey bought boy equipment, like a walker, blue bottles, blue bibs, etc.
It was time for the delivery. Gardenia's water broke. They went to the hospital while still arguing about gender & names. Gardenia wanted a natural birth, but once she heard another woman howling, she switched her mind & got the epidural. Come to find out, a BOY was born, & they named him Jasiel Sage. She had to exchange all the girl clothes for boy clothes.
Both of them were content with such a unique biblical name, & they went on their merry way home to celebrate their new bundle of joy. No more arguing over baby names. 1st & last baby.
THE END