ISLA's NAME IS....Isla Jane...

We had a wonderful naming ceremony a couple of weeks ago for my niece Isla and my Aunty Margaret has just become a celebrant so she was able to do it !! I'm just going to steal from some of what she said on the day....Margaret: "Isla came early into this world a little over 12 months ago and after a tense few weeks started to thrive with all the love and attention she received. As you can see she has come ahead in leaps and bounds and is a bonnie little girl today. Isla’s Celtic name means island and she was named after a beautiful person Duncan and Tash met in Florence on their travels. Her name struck a deep chord within them and they decided there and then that if they had a daughter, Isla would be her name."

And then Dunk & Tash said…

"Isla Jane, we give you unconditional love.
We give you hugs and kisses
We give you healing
We give you listening
We give you sharing
We give you laughter and tears
We give you safety
We will always love you and care for you as you grow and develop."

And then Margaret said to Tash's sister and I ( we are her guides which is like a godmother) "Duncan and Tash ask that you will always welcome Isla if she comes to you for company, advice or help. That you will listen to her, and respect her confidences, no matter how great or small. They ask that you show her understanding and love and let her know she will always have a special place in your heart. Nickole and Susan – are you willing to accept this responsibility to be guides to Isla?"

And then we said: "We are"

And that's when it happened - the first of two so called "accidental assaults" inflicted upon me by young Isla. Tash gave her a cracker to keep her occupied during the ceremony and at this point, she had eaten half of it - all of a sudden, she launched out at me and, using the half biscuit as a weapon, scratched me on the nose !! I reeled back as everyone laughed....no need for the emergency room this time...you need to look very closely (or perhaps even with a microscope, but there was a scratch about 2 cm long on my nose !).

Anyway - she's rather cute so I had to forgive her. The ceremony concluded with Margaret saying "Our wish is for a long and happy life and to be surrounded with love. May you bring delight to your parents, your grandparents and your guardians and to all of us, your family and friends. May you play a role in making our world more joyous and peaceful. It is now my great pleasure to present to family and friends, this beautiful expression of love – ISLA JANE McGREGOR."

It was a very special day all round and everyone, including Isla had a really lovely time. Isla and her cousin hanging in the dirt....

Aunty Lindsay, Uncle Jason & Aunty Nickole...
Uncle Ken with Cousins Nedd & Dillion...Tash's Grandma's watch on...