Thoughts regarding the baby's name and religious direction.

The name "Max"

The baby's name is still up in the air. The name, "Max" was just the first thing that Amy and I came up with in a conversation a long time ago. In fact, I think we may have started talking about, "Max" prior to getting married in a--"wouldn't it be cool to have a kid named Max"--type of conversation.

There were other times when Amy mentioned to me that she was thinking about Max. Or that she'd had a conversation with Max and other discombobulated comments regarding disembodied souls. I never knew what to do with this information because I thought I was clean--so to speak. Nevertheless, the name Max stuck around. Admittedly, I had similar conversations with "Max" and I'd say things like, "c'mon Max? What are you waiting for?" or, "Max, time's ticking--come out, come out where ever you are...". So, I'm no less insane than Amy is. In fact, probably more by virtue of my advanced age and therefore sagely existence.

I like the way the name, "Max" sounds. It has a certain regal feel and don't all parents want their kids to sport chivalrous behavior and attain regal status despite the parents' common, humble blood.

There are other name ideas running around. Sammy came up with "Tehk"--I like it. I'm not sure how it would be used but it's unique and futuristic which is what I'm going for. I like the idea of a name that commemorates Amy's Dutch heritage with my Hispanic heritage. But the names from these cultures are so different that we'd end up with something like, Jesus Van Cordero or something similar. I'm very fond of Amy's maiden name, "Liebergen". You don't hear a name like that in Ca. We still have a long time to decide. We'll see how this pans out.


Religion...

As to the baby's religion. Amy's Catholic and understands the terminology which is good enough for me. I'm a "cultural" Catholic because 75% of Hispanics are Catholics. But by choice I am a baptized Mahayana Buddhist of the Fo Guang Shan order and given the name "An Yu" by the Venerable Master Hsing Yun at Hsi Lai temple.

Both religions, Catholicism and Buddhism profess variations of the concepts of love, tolerance and family allegiance so at the very least, the baby will have those concepts to play with. But for the sake of simplicity, I suppose we'll dip the child in holy water under the sign of the cross sponsored by a priest. But rest assured, we'll do all we can to make sure that Max stays faithful and wholesome.

Alex (Jojo), Shayne and Sammy were baptized as Catholics as were Amy and I. I suppose Max will follow in our spiritual footsteps.