Because it’s still Down syndrome awareness month, I thought I would share with you how Matt came to be. Not literally (GROSSE)…his name, I would like to share with you how Matt got his name. (Authors note: this is one of those rerun episodes so for most of you who have heard this…grab a snack and enjoy the story…again).
For nine months I nourished and grew this wee one within me and as soon as we found out he was a boy, we decided he would be known here as Brock Hooton. Brock was a studly and unique enough name that we couldn't wait to call our son. We were a unique couple and didn’t want your everyday “average” name. (Matt-how average can you get ha ha). Anyway, when he was ripe (or almost ripe) he decided on a snowy November morn that he would make his grand entrance. It was a GREAT Thursday…or so it started out that way.
I’ll never forget the morning after “Brock” was born. My OBGYN came into my room whistling some cheery tune expecting to send me on my way only when he opened the door he walked into a room full of our family members who were crying and trying to comfort a very young and scared couple. His exact words…”what’s with all the tears?” We were stunned that he was so happy and asking a strange question but then it became obvious that he didn’t know how our lives had changed so drastically since he last saw me. My then husband said, “They think the baby has Down syndrome”.
He fell against the wall and chose his next words wisely. He said, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware of this”. He then asked us what we were going to name our baby. What??? We’ve just been told our baby may be “different” and you want to know what we are going to name him??? We told him Brock. He then replied, “Might I suggest you name him Brock Matthew or Matthew Brock? You see Matthew means a gift from God and I know you will find that this baby you have been given is truly a gift who will bring you so much joy through out your lives. Don’t be afraid, love him, you’re a special couple to be given this special baby”. We were all silent. I didn’t want him to stop talking. I wanted him to keep saying positive things…encouraging words that we needed to hear. Anything to give us comfort for the life that lay ahead of us. He apologized again for not knowing before he came into our room and then he asked us if the baby was ok or if he had any health issues. After a few more brief words he released me and excused himself (I later learned to go yell at the nurses for not warning him before walking into our room). I don’t remember much after that…well I do but it’s rather personal and I don’t know if I will ever put those memories in writing. Needless to say because of the next events, my then husband and I never had the chance to discuss the name thing.
The next day I was by myself playing with my new baby on the bed and the little lady came walking in my room wheeling her typewriter. She wanted to know what his name would be. It only took a moment for me…”average” or not, at that moment he became Matthew Stewart….a gift from God for his dad. The best name ever!!!
Matt was born on November 8th, he will be 19 in a few weeks and I remember those moments as if they were yesterday. My doctor was right, on November 8th, 1990, I received the greatest gift I could ever receive.
My son…the gift that keeps on giving!
For nine months I nourished and grew this wee one within me and as soon as we found out he was a boy, we decided he would be known here as Brock Hooton. Brock was a studly and unique enough name that we couldn't wait to call our son. We were a unique couple and didn’t want your everyday “average” name. (Matt-how average can you get ha ha). Anyway, when he was ripe (or almost ripe) he decided on a snowy November morn that he would make his grand entrance. It was a GREAT Thursday…or so it started out that way.
I’ll never forget the morning after “Brock” was born. My OBGYN came into my room whistling some cheery tune expecting to send me on my way only when he opened the door he walked into a room full of our family members who were crying and trying to comfort a very young and scared couple. His exact words…”what’s with all the tears?” We were stunned that he was so happy and asking a strange question but then it became obvious that he didn’t know how our lives had changed so drastically since he last saw me. My then husband said, “They think the baby has Down syndrome”.
He fell against the wall and chose his next words wisely. He said, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware of this”. He then asked us what we were going to name our baby. What??? We’ve just been told our baby may be “different” and you want to know what we are going to name him??? We told him Brock. He then replied, “Might I suggest you name him Brock Matthew or Matthew Brock? You see Matthew means a gift from God and I know you will find that this baby you have been given is truly a gift who will bring you so much joy through out your lives. Don’t be afraid, love him, you’re a special couple to be given this special baby”. We were all silent. I didn’t want him to stop talking. I wanted him to keep saying positive things…encouraging words that we needed to hear. Anything to give us comfort for the life that lay ahead of us. He apologized again for not knowing before he came into our room and then he asked us if the baby was ok or if he had any health issues. After a few more brief words he released me and excused himself (I later learned to go yell at the nurses for not warning him before walking into our room). I don’t remember much after that…well I do but it’s rather personal and I don’t know if I will ever put those memories in writing. Needless to say because of the next events, my then husband and I never had the chance to discuss the name thing.
The next day I was by myself playing with my new baby on the bed and the little lady came walking in my room wheeling her typewriter. She wanted to know what his name would be. It only took a moment for me…”average” or not, at that moment he became Matthew Stewart….a gift from God for his dad. The best name ever!!!
Matt was born on November 8th, he will be 19 in a few weeks and I remember those moments as if they were yesterday. My doctor was right, on November 8th, 1990, I received the greatest gift I could ever receive.
My son…the gift that keeps on giving!
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