Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Achoo (04/11/13)
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TITLE: Who Noo-Matthew-Cashew? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Alicia Renkema
04/17/13 -
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"Achoo, achoo!" What a funny word, I love funny-sounding words, the funnier the better. One day I decided to look up this silly-sounding word.When I looked it up on my computer, I wondered if I would find another definition besides the classic sound for a sneeze. To my surprise, I came across a lovely set of words that actually rhyme with Achoo!
Who knew that there would be so many words like gumshoe, cuckoo, shampoo, and fondue, which I love? So many wonderful words to write about... Yet, there was one word that my eyes locked onto that stood out above all of the rest. A word now close to my heart that God impressed upon me almost 30 years ago. It is the name of my son.
Right after I gave birth and my son's wee head was nestled upon my breast, I looked into his sweet little face. I said to my husband, who was still in shock at our newborn-wonder from heaven, "What shall we name him?" We had previously narrowed it down to three names, all strong Biblical names that I admire. The first was Daniel, which has always been a name I've loved the sound of. In the book of Daniel, he was faithful, had strength of character and was true to his God.
The next name we considered was Andrew, because he was Peter's brother but wasn't really talked about all that much in Scripture. We also didn't know any other babies at the time named Andrew, making it seem unique. My original first choice though was David, my favorite all time guy's name. My husband however, did not agree. He said he had known "a David" whom he didn't like. David, the shepherd boy in the Bible, God's king and warrior, the one who sinned so grievously, yet deeply repented, the most inspired poet of all time; how could he not like that name?
Then there was THE name, the name that had the most precious meaning, the one I ended up growing to love most of all, Matthew. Hebrew in origin, and the name of one of one of Jesus's twelve apostles, it means 'a gift of God.'
As soon as I saw his face I knew the name we had to choose.
Just think, if I had known all of those years ago, the words that rhyme with Matthew, such as "Achoo," I could have been having all kinds of linguistic fun!
It didn't take long for me though to start rhyming Matthew's name with other goofy names of my own. My favorite in the early days, was Cashew, or Matthew-Cashew-Bunny; much to my son's displeasure it stuck.
Maybe that's why we say, "Bless you," because it rhymes with Achoo. I think many people love to rhyme things naturally the way I did with my son's name. From now on, every time I hear someone make that oh so distinct and trumpet-blowing-sound, 'Achoo,' I will be reminded how very much God has blessed me with my special Matthew-
Cashew-Bunny.
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