One of the trumpet players in the orchestra here and his wife have recently had a baby. He's awfully cute -- all squeaks and furrowed brows. While we were visiting the little family a few days ago, we were suprised to learn that Danes had a window of six months to name their kiddies. This little guy is still being called "baby" as his "mor" and "far" cannot agree on a name. They've been close, but something always skews the finality of it -- feeding time, laundry, the doorbell, sleep. (Although I think they are secretly enjoying the debate...)
When we told them how in the U.S you couldn't leave the hospital without a name for the birth certificate, they were shocked. "How can people make up their minds with so little time???" they puzzled. For most Americans, we assured them, 9 months was usually sufficient, and by the time the baby was swaddled like a burrito in a hospital receiving blanket, everyone was generally in agreement, happy to slap a name on the kid and go home. They marveled at the militancy of our inflexible system. So bureaucratic.
Then they told us this: "Well, here in Denmark, after six months of no name for a baby, the government gives it a name for you. Girls are named after the queen, and boys are named after the king." Brilliant!!!!!! I guess there must be lots of Margrethes and Fredericks running around.
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People aren't commenting as much anymore, but I, for one, am reading, reading, reading, checking daily, hourly, for your updates. Just wanted you to know how much I relish them, look forward to them, NEED them. Thank you for continuing your good work, reaching out to us poor souls who miss you ever so much!
AAAAWW!!! [tear] I know -- what is UP with the no commenting, I ask you? Oh well. I understand that some people are extremely intimidated to jot something in the shadow of my explosive and almighty literary powers, but you, my dear, are a very brave girl. I will post TODAY just because I know you are wearing out the refresh button... KISSES, DEANNA! ;-) I miss you, too!
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