A name carries reputation and meaning that changes with every event of a person’s life. Since Cassie passed, her name has had to be etched in stone. Whatever meaning it had is now the same meaning it will always have. But that reputation it will forever carry is excellent, one that Cassie would be proud of. She worked hard to keep a good name.
A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,
Favor is better than silver and gold.Proverbs 22
The people closest to Cassie knew her by a certain, special name. It was a nickname that carried a sense of love and affection, showing how much people cared for her, even if it was a little bit diminutive. Her siblings presumably made it up. Her parents would call her by it. Her close friends would yell it excitedly when they saw her at church or school. And even her nieces, from the time they could speak, would refer to her this way. Since losing Cassie, the name which was once used to show love to her, could only remind how precious the person we lost was to us. But now someone, a person who Cassie was so excited for, carries that name.
Baby Cass
I’ve known Caspian’s dad, Christian, for almost 6 years now. He became my roommate our first year at college, and he immediately became one of our dearest friends. I first knew him as an extremely awkward and naive home-schooled kid, though that wore off in time. Cassie lived with him to some extent too, as they were on the road together for a summer working for Johnson University. From the moment we met, we had always considered Christian to be one of the most intelligent and sensitive people we knew. But we got to watch (and help) him grow to become an awesome, compassionate, thoughtful, independent, and confident preacher/teacher/missionary/husband. Christian is, hands-down, one of the best Christians I know.
I went to the hospital to visit Christian, his wife, Elisabeth, and the little prince the day after he was born. Once the crying stopped (mine, not Caspian’s), Chris and Elisabeth let me hold Caspian. As I wrapped up this incredible little person in my arms, all soft, squishy, yet to see daylight, innocent, and unaware of the world around him, my mind drifted to moments that paralleled this one–when I had held Christian in my arms in college, all soft, squishy, (seemingly) yet to see the daylight, innocent, and unaware of the world around him. I couldn’t believe how far we’d both come in six years. And I couldn’t be more glad for my friend.
Caspian came out a beautiful, healthy baby. I can say from everything I know of his parents, their families, and their friends, this Baby Cass is loved and cared for. I can say from the way he loves to cuddle and from the way his parents will raise him, this Baby Cass will be considerate. I can say from the way he held my pinky finger, this Baby Cass is strong. Caspian Hunter Arnold has a name that suits him. It’s a good one.
I’m proud of my friend, Christian. I’m proud of his fantastic wife, Elisabeth. I’m proud of their wonderful child, Caspian. And if I’m allowed to speak on behalf of Cassie, she’s proud of these names too.
