The Mockingbird's Ballad

"Puny you say. Well let's see. I've thought about names ever since we knew we had a baby on the way. Now two, well, James was what I'd come up with. This 'uns James." He gently jostled the pink, black haired bundle held protectively in his arms. "What you think, Lou. John, Norman?"

"No let's give this one a new spirit too. I know," she said after looking out the window reflectively at the blue, white streaked sky. "Joseph Wheeler Stevenson! He's a little one, the general did pretty well for a small one, don't you know."

"James Taylor and Joseph Wheeler, huh?" Solon took the sounds and meanings of the names in. "Jim and Joe. You know that's what they'll get called, Lou. Yes, those are good names for a strong team. Good," Solon said. Lou smiled and slightly nodded her head looking first at Jim then at Joe.

After a quiet time of appreciation and visualizing what might be possible of these two miracles, Solon said, looking up from Jim into Lou's eyes, "What about their Indian names, wife?" His eyes twinkled and a near smile warmed his face.

Lou looked questioningly at him as if to say, "Shall we?"

Solon said, "From everything Mama Bear has told me and what I know about the Cherokee I think we ought to. What their granddaddy, your father, was half and Miss Nancy is half - what does that make you?" He went on without waiting for her answer.

Mr. Fields has gone on so about Robin Hood and 'borderland' people, his stock he says - pirates, outlaws from the crown - rebels all, the right kind!" he paused, realizing he was beginning a sermon. "Lou, they're good stock, Anglo-Saxon English and your Principal people. Let's start 'em off good with names that mean something. Hey, Girl, they're ours, tarnation!" His energy was a blend of joy and recognition.

Lou didn't respond for a few moments. Her mind and heart were both struck by the thoughtfulness and wisdom of this orphan boy from the ridge a few hollows west. A soldier for so long, now God's agent for over ten years, her husband was a gift, a precious gift and she savored that blessing. "Well, husband we sure can. Yes, we should." Smiling at Joe she said, "Any suggestions?"

"They're twins, right?" Solon creativity was engaged. He continued, "Together they'll be for a long time. Together they were born. Nature offers your people the inspiration for naming, right?" Lou nodded, refraining from intruding on his ideas. "Well let's think about that, nature, what goes together - what things in nature are partners, share in life?" He'd got the process going but it was now stalled. He looked perplexed as if searching his memory for what to do, what to suggest.