One of the most rewarding parts of being a parent, is giving our children nicknames that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. These names often carry great sentimental value and meaning, and help to shape who our children become to the world. When my son Jharid was born at 24 weeks gestation, I bestowed upon him a name and a song, that I found most fitting for the present blessing and the journey ahead. Sonshine (You Are My Sonshine, My Only Sonshine). Here, I explain why.

Why I Call Him Sonshine: by Kaleena Berryman (Jharid’s Mom)

When he was born
The world counted him out
Low Apgar score
Low birth weight
Low percentage for survival
I gave birth to a child
And a rainstorm…
The labels never ending
They said that he would be
Mourned in time
That his light would not last
Beyond the incubator
So I called him Sonshine
To set the world straight
To make his purpose clear
To set his presence here in stone
There is much power in a name
I call him Sonshine
So that when you see my Sweetheart
You see the light of my life
Not the delay in his growth
I had to let the world know
He is smart
He is kind
He is important
And brilliantly loved
I call him Sonshine
So by the time he grows up
Sonshine will outweigh all the others
Words hurdled at him in offices and on school yards
And unintentionally by people who love him
But don’t dream like I do
Who can dim the light of the sun?
No one
And no one will dim the light God has placed
In this fighter child of mine
I call him Sonshine
So the grace of God won’t miss him
So the world will not forget him
I’ve given him full permission
To be my joy come every morning

Mommy is watching, they’re all waiting
SON…SHINE.

Poem from the book Stronger Than We Thought: Poetry for the Preemie Mom’s Journey. Download from Amazon onto any computer or electronic device!