In less than two weeks my grandmother (whom my daughter is named after) will turn 90 years old.  It’s a pretty big deal around here.  In preparation I spent the majority of the day scanning old pictures of her in her younger years.  How I love looking at history in the form of a photograph!  It is amazing that we have photographs from the 1800’s; some great great great relatives in there.

I spent part of the afternoon asking my Grandma about different family members.  In the process I found out a little tidbit about my great-grandmother, known as Grandma Rae.  (my father’s mother’s mom)  I was named after Grandma Rae (Rae short for Rachel).

As we were looking over photos, I realized that Grandma Rae was probably named after her Grandmother.  I noticed that Grandma Rae’s dad’s mom’s name was also Rachel.  (Did you get that?)  It’s not a definite for sure because Grandma Rae is not around to ask anymore but I highly doubt it is a coincidence.  It made me wonder how far back the name Rachel goes in our family.  I thought that was pretty neat.

Grandma Rae is the little girl in the picture; my great Grandmother whom I am named after.

Grandma Rae with her brothers

One more tidbit of information that I found endearing as I have the same case: my great Grandmother had a brother named Basil.  When she fell in love and married, her husband’s name was also Basil.  In case you don’t know, I have a brother named Juan and my husband’s name is, you guessed it, Juan.  I mean really, what is the likely hood of that?!  Though Grandma Rae isn’t around anymore to appreciate our similarities, it still brings warmth to my heart when I think of the bond between a woman and the great-granddaughter that is named after her.  I hope and pray that my daughter continues to deepen the bond with her great-grandmother and as she becomes a young woman, delights in the intricacies of their beautiful relationship and how special it really is!!

my great Grandmother and her husband on their wedding day