Since we’ve let the United States, two years and six months ago to this very day, I realize that there’s three of us on this trip. Me, Michael and Sophia.
Sophia, as many know thanks to popular culture, stems from the Greek word for wisdom. Its root rests between suffixes and prefixes throughout the English language. Sophisticated means full of a certain kind of wisdom. Philosophy means in love and pursuit of wisdom. Sophomore means both wise and foolish.
Around five years ago, Michael was sitting in the comfy green chair of our past life, reading Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, when he told me that Sophia was a biblical figure, said to be the personification of the feminine in God.
This was long before our decision to join the Peace Corps. But during our service, Sofia turned out to be the namesake of a city we called home for two years. In Beirut, Sophie is the generous, eccentric founder of Inma Foundation, for whom we built a website—the mother of Inma’s giving spirit. In Carnivale, an downloaded HBO series we’ve watched in many a dingy, freezing Arabian hotel room and a story which mirrors the nomadic lifestyle we’ve adopted, Sophie is the strong, fortune-telling character played by Clea Duvall. Recently, but before I realized this strange Sophia-ness, I purchased the book Sophie’s World, a novel of philosophy by Jostein Gaarder.
As you can see, we never get too far across a new border before her skirts find a way to twirl into our life.
So when our first niece, Sophia Louise, was born January 22nd, 2008 to Michael’s sister Meagan and her husband Ryan, we knew she was a gift from the universe . We will forever remember how we were sprawled across the world in search of the very wisdom her name embodies as she was born. And although we’re not there to hold her little pink hand at the moment, we promise to be the best Aunt and Uncle ever upon return. We love you, Sophia.
Beautiful baby, wonderful name. Thanks for the pic – I haven’t seen Meagan in many years.
Ah, but they spelled it wrong! Anyone who spent time in the BG, knows it’s “Sofia” or (let’s see if you comment system accepts Unicode…) София
Yes little Sofia will love and cherish her Auntie and Uncle, of that I am sure. Please tell us about Jordan, I always wanted to go there!
What a beautiful post and little tribute to your new niece!
Well I have been in touch with both of you often by e-mail but have not posted to the blog for a while, but it would be a sin if I let this go. Andrea this was very touching indeed for all of us here hoping for a change of heart and you would rush home to see our first grand child, your first niece, but it was not to be. It is comforting to know that even so far away you already feel a bond to Sophie. By the time you meet her for the first time she will be all changed but still precious, so be safe and come home ready to be the best aunt and uncle any niece ever had.
Love Lori/Mom
We all miss you two and can’t wait until you get back here and give your niece a proper howdoyoudo! You have no idea what you are missing. Little Sophie is so very beautiful. Be Safe!