Namesake

Christmas 2007

Ever wonder where we got the Thomas in Austin Thomas?

We played the name game for months when I was pregnant. Chad and I had a fairly good idea where we were leaning, but were waiting for Austin to make that confirmation. No set names until we saw that face...It drove everyone crazy -not knowing..and that was part of the fun!

Austin was just for fun..it was one of the only names that we both agreed on...not a family name nor a deeply significant one..we just liked it. But I also wanted him to have a name that was more than just a trend. That's where we got Thomas -after my paternal grandfather, Thomas Carlton (Pawpaw to me).

This name was special to me not just because it was a family name...but also because of the man behind the name. A strong, hard working World War II veteran...a man that made a promise to be saved and walk with Christ so that he could one day join his son in heaven. A man that kept that promise and spent every Sunday morning in church. A man that loved his wife so deeply that he was lost without her, yet somehow managed to keep going. And, behind that tough exterior, I saw a sweet old man that I admired. And every time I say, Austin Thomas, I think of him.

We lost him on Sunday morning. He was 84.

I was lucky enough to have seen him on Saturday night. When I drove up, he was standing in the doorway with a smile on his face. And when I left, I think I woke him from a doze when I leaned over and kissed him goodnight. I'm so thankful because I will always have that vivid memory of the last time I saw him to carry with me...