"For the Glory of Your Name"

I borrowed this title from a quote by St. Francis of Assisi, and even though the rest of the quote changes the context, this part seems appropriate here. I realized that we have not blogged about the two great women who our little girl is named for. There are actually a number of good friends and family members whose names intentionally slipped in in one way or another, but here I want to pay tribute to the two women who shaped Jillian's life and my life. Each of these women could have an entire blog written about them, and really ought to, but it will suffice us to say that their instrumental roles in raising us have had a profound impact on the people we are and the kind of parents we want to be.

ELLA REE CHRISTENSEN
I can't say I ever knew Grandma Christensen "personally." I entered the story during the final chapters of her 94 year story. I met her twice, but I can not shake the impact she has had on me. She is the woman who gave my wife her fighting spirit, and zeal for life, and did most of it over lunches when Jillian was a little girl. There are volumes that can be written about Ella Ree and books of those volumes would contain Jillian's memories. But for me it all comes down to the tenacity, the determination, and the pure, selfless love that Ella Ree had for everyone in her life. She was always surrounded by family because people were inexplicably drawn to her, and because of that Jillian and her family benefitted by living and growing up in the presence of this great woman. And that is what I hope our little Addison remembers about her great-great grandma.





ELLA ELIZABETH HORST
Grandma raised me and my brother Nate through some of the most life shaping years of our lives. She put the capstone on my mother's teachings and sealed them with integrity, passion, and kindness. All of my friends grew up with Grandma and she was everyone's Grandma. Her strength and her courage have defined her- she quietly encouraged us to reach for our dreams, devoutly pushed us to exceed our potential, and always had breakfast at the beginning of the day and dinner and a good night hug at the end of the day. Now that I am older, I see that what she did and does is a non-negotiable part of being a parent. You are there. As Jillian and I struggle through the coming years of raising a child I have no doubt we will often turn to the person who raised my mother, me, and a whole generation of friends and family. And we hope Addison can glean even a small portion of that spirit that her great grandma imparts daily.