I am the father to the three most wonderful girls in the world. Now, come June and with God’s mercy, I will be the father of a son. My excitement grows daily. I think that I didn’t know how much I wanted a son. I’ve been spoiled by three daughters – why would I want anything else? Occasionally though, as I thought of Kim’s pregnancy late last year, there were these moments of deep, deep hope for a son…even a longing.
Part of that came from family history. I am an only son. My father is an only son and my grandfather too. We Kuos don’t have lots-o-boys and I didn’t want the “family name” to “end” with me – granted there are many, many, many millions of Kuos around the world…just not this Kuo. The other part though was purely selfish – I wanted a son to do father-son sorts of things and to experience them as boys and men experience them… to catch a fish, throw a ball, jump off of things, throw snowballs at each other and to deeply, intuitively understand what that means to us as males. I love doing these things with my girls – love doing them. But a son… I guess a son is just a bit more like me.
I fear writing these words because I fear that I will sound sexist. If I do, however, it is only because I lack the words to express what I mean.
Finally, this – the challenge of naming a boy with a last name of Kuo. Consider:
Chris Kuo – sounds like Crisco
Teddy Kuo – teddy bear with a Chinese touch?
Mike Kuo – micro?
Mack Kuo – macro?
Noah Kuo – Noah Kuo-a?
Hmmmm… still a couple months to go
posted February 24, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Yes, naming a son is a major event. He’s got to carry it forever and one mistake can make a joke that will all be carried forever. I like apostles and saints. In Catholic world, Francis, remains a heavy duty name and well it should be. Peter, Stephen and Andrew work nicely. Just stay away from the J- names – Jason, Justin, etc. I can’t tell those boys apart – there are thousands of them. I thought my oldest was dating Justin, but she had broken up with him and was going out with Jason and I just heard that he is now out of the picture and someone named Jeff is in. So, my favorite name for a boy these days – Sam. It simply works. Guess I’ll be saving my favorites for dogs in our future since our kids will make up their own minds when the grandkids start. But, I’m always good for an opinion if nothing else. By the way – sons are waaaay different from daughters. At least at our house.
posted February 24, 2007 at 9:03 pm
How about naming him “Donny”
posted February 25, 2007 at 3:02 am
Praise God indeed! After having 3 daughters, a son is God’s amazing Grace for your family. Chinese pronounciation for Amazing Grace is close to “Jimmy Andy”, or Jimmy Anderson.Jimmy Andy Kuo Jimmy Anderson Kuo Our only daughter’s name “Karen” sounds like “Kun lun” which means Good health with good character & truly today she is a beautiful 16 years old in good health with excellent character. My prayers are with you & yours. Best wishes.
posted February 25, 2007 at 3:31 am
Oops, our dog is named Sam! Donny? Hmmm, not sure that is the best choice… Jimmy? Hmmm
posted February 25, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Just raise your son or daughters with both of their parents intact (as in married at conception), and any name given them will be great. How do you say “family” in Aramiac? Marriage – the concept as immutably man-woman to Jesus – may be a good place to start looking for strong names for a son. “Christian,” would be a good name, but he’d have to be able to take legalized discrimination and hatred pointed at him every day of his school-life. No, make that just every day of his life. He’ll have to go outside sometime. I’d say he’d be OK in a private “Christian” school (with whatever name you give him), but, if he acts or talks like a Christian, and it gets out to your Leftie pals David, he’s going to have it rough. The Left is suing Christian schools now too. Better name him Sue. After the old Jonny Cash song. You’ll have no problems his whole life. Good luck David.
posted February 26, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Jackson William James Andrew Jacob Justin Jerome Bettis Kuo
posted August 9, 2007 at 9:46 pm
I read your posting. In a way I felt much like you’re feeling now. My wife recently gave birth to our third child…a third daughter. I really hoped for a son this time, being that I am an only son, and so was my father. I prayed. I even fasted.
I love my three daughters, but there are times when I really become angry with the Lord. Especially, when I see so many young boys being raised without their father in my community. My selfish side, which I try to supress really sometimes felt like the Lord let me down. I know that I’m incredibly blessed with my family, but its hard sometimes to keep that in mind, when a son is really something I had hoped to have.
Now we are considering having surgeries to insure we have no more children as we do not want more than three. This third was unplanned and a fourth is something we really want to avoid.
I guess I’m just venting. I pray often that this feeling will be removed or somehow I can overcome this feeling of regret, I would ask that you pray for me so that I can be the same father to this third daughter as I have been to my other two.