The Greek families are united generationally in an interesting way. A child is not baptized or named until around its first birthday. Before that, it is simply referred as "baby." When they are baptized, their godfather gives them their name at the ritual.The choice of names for the first two males or femailes is a given. The first two males are named for their father's father and mother's father, respectively. Females are names with the first girl baby for the mother's mother and the second for the father's mother.
Greeks celebrate their name days which coincide with the saint's day over birthdays. This means that grandparents are together with their namesakes.
The night before last I was invited to join in the festivities of St. Elizabet
(Elizabeth) day. It was a noisy happy time with lots of food and drink hosted by Maria's sister. All the Elizabets from elderly to little childen were there. The evening would also mark the beginning of my good-byes. The family responded with their wishes that I come back next year. Were that it were possible!
See you soon, RA
