What’s In a Name?

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller

There is an object that can be touched and dwells in my heart. Not because of the object itself, but what it stands for in my heart. – this is The Anna Bowl!

The Anna Bowl…a glass bowl, fragile yet heavy enough to last for many more years with the right care. The edges of the bowl are encrusted with gold. A thing of beauty. A wedding present given to Anna Loewen Suderman, in 1900, one hundred and eleven years old now. The bowl remains unbroken, and even when it ever becomes broken, it will be etched in my mind forever.

This one bowl was given by Anna Loewen Suderman to her daughter, Anna Daisy Suderman Siemens. This same bowl was received by Emily Ann Siemens Combs 20 years ago. Anna Kathleen Combs Payne refused to take the bowl to California because of the danger of breakage due to possible earthquakes. This month,

Anna Michelle Payne LaMar helped me pack the ‘Anna Bowl’ and now it is with the 5^th generation of the Anna’s. Will there be another Anna or Hannah in the family line? Time will tell. Will the family heritage be continued? Time will tell. Mother wrote a book, out of print, that is being put online – http://emilys-snippets.com/family-suderman/i-family-roots/

What does the name Anna mean? Favor (a gift of love) – grace (elegance of beauty – pleasing quality). A fitting name for my grandmother, mother, daughter and granddaughter. Fitting because their lives are motivated by grace and love.

The bowl, in its form and appearance, is a symbol of their lives being poured out for others. What is the essence of their lives that causes(d) them to communicate grace and favor to others? Love.

Anna Loewen Suderman, the oldest of 15 children, grew up caring for her brothers and sisters. She surmounted grief of losing 4 of her 10 children, accepting this as God’s will. She gave her life caring for others, her mother, and even in the nursing home. There she left the door open to always welcome others to her one room she called home. Her prayer – along with Gerhard Suderman – included koch kommen (those children who came after).

Her desire for beauty exhibited itself when she used newspaper to cut intricate ‘snowflake-like patterns to make ‘lace curtains’ for the few windows in their first house. She encouraged Gerhard in his desire to learn new music to lead in church. Most of all, she worshiped God and loved Him. Even in the four trips to the Ebenfeld cemetery with the bodies of her four children, she learned a deeper walk with God. How did she see the Anna bowl? She saw it as a bowl of beauty and faith. A symbol of the beauty of God’s love.

Her daughter, Anna Daisy (English – Day’s Eye) was born on a national holiday. When Anna was young, she endured many health difficulties. What made this child choose the Evening Star as her confidant as she watched the sky from her bedroom window. Her desire was to play the piano for the Ebenfeld choir her father led. All about her she learned duty, she learned love, she learned faith. She worked with her father in the dusty field, played softball, learned to sew, cook. This Anna was curious and loved meanings of words. She taught Bible classes, piano, organ and learned to write. Her delight was in finding the words to express what was in her heart. Was this because her mother kept journals of her life? Anna Daisy wrote scripture songs that indelibly imprinted the words in her heart. I still have a tea towel that has her stitching on the edges…embroidery, tatting, knitting, crocheting, sewing, writing were in her search for beauty. This Anna, with the help of one of her piano students, created a many shaded lilac mural on her living room wall. Her desire for beauty extended to painting. In her 80’s she attended college art classes. What did she see in the Anna Bowl? She saw a heritage that had been given to her. A heritage that she must give to her children. Her continuous faith is my legacy visualized in the fragile bowl.

I am the 3^rd generation who received the bowl from my Mother. When it was given to me, I simply put it on a shelf, glancing at it every so often. As the years passed, I began to see The Anna Bowl in a different way. What does the beauty of the bowl mean to me? It becomes clearer to me with every day. In the lovely reflection of the glass, I see the many prayers of my Mother and Grandmother. I see their heartaches and triumphs in life. I see their giving hearts, and I know that with Jesus in my heart, I can be worthy of a name that means favor and grace. For to me The Anna Bowl is a challenge to live with faith in God, to pour out my life for others. The word ‘No” is difficult for me to say. Yes, I can do some of the things Mom did. But I learned early when I tried to cut my brother’s hair for Mom, and it was an ‘oops’ haircut, that I could not ‘be’ Mom, but I had to be my own person. So, I write. And I must play the piano for Mom taught me. I learned to do some painting, which is enjoyable. Then there are my children, grand children and great grandchildren. We have a granddaughter named Hannah, a derivative of Anna (grace – favor). Elise, her middle name, means My God is a vow. How beautiful that our great granddaughter is named Annelise (favor – grace – Elise is My God is a vow). The blessings I have received are like the stars in the sky, without number. The Anna Bowl cannot hold the joy I have had in my life.

Anna Kathleen….our daughter. There was no question about her name being Anna. Kathleen (From the Greek – means pure) was chosen by her father. Anna had a special relationship with Grandma Daisy (as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren). I remember the day our Anna told us as she left for a long trip that she would be safe because she prayed for angels to be on all sides of her car. Her faith astounded me. Anna was always concerned about doing the right thing from the time she was little. I found her in the school cloak room of her 2^nd grade class when I visited one day, I asked why she was crying. She replied, “Because I made a boo-boo.” As she grew up, she learned to play the piano, she wrote, she sang, she excelled. Then she was gone – married to a wonderful man. They have three children who she home-schooled. Anna writes, a gift from her Grandma Daisy. She teaches Bible Studies. Although Anna lives 1557 miles away – we share our hearts and dreams and our faith in God. We don’t need an Anna Bowl, yet it is a tangible reminder of a heritage of faith despite the challenges life puts in our paths. Anna sees God’s beauty in the lives of others. She has the caring heart of her grandmother.

The 5^th generation of ‘Annas’ lies with Anna Michelle (Michelle – Hebrew – Who is like God?). Because of the distance, we did not have the opportunity to Anna Michelle. Her visit with us helped us to know her. It brought us much joy as we learned that family faith is still strong. When Michelle learned of her mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother having the same name, she became interested in the history of family. She is learning of the legacy of faith that comes through the family. Her decision to teach is in keeping with her Great Grandmother and Grandmother. Her interest in the beauty of symmetry of mathematics leads her to see the patterns in life. The patterns of living of those who have gone before. Her faith in God is strong, along with her husband’s faith.

What is in a name? A lifetime of choices that can bring glory to God. A lifetime to give your life in service. To learn about living the fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness and self-control each day. No matter what our name is, whether we have an Anna Bowl or not, we hold an eternal heritage in our hands and what we choose isn’t just for our ‘now’, but for those we see every day and those who come after. Choose wisely.