There is power in naming

That's what you taught me
And I'll never be able to repay that

There is power in naming

Your name to me is "auntie"
Even though we were never related by blood
My name to you is unknown
But you loved me
That's all that mattered

There is power in naming

You judged no one for their name
You believed that God called everyone by name
Your name was called
And it was your time

There is power in naming

You called certain things certain names
Some were witty
Like cracked liberty bell
Or bullcrap
But some were soft
Such as beloved
Or child of God

There is power in naming

You dedicated your life
To helping everyone feel accepted
No matter what race
Sexuality
Or gender they were

There is power in naming

I learned this from your project
Your work with teens like me
"The Naming Project"
Was your greatest legacy
It showed who you were

There is power in naming

You taught me that labels aren't needed
Because labels bring people down
You faught for equality more than anything else
You ran a camp to make sure LGBT teens
Who were called thousands of hurtful names
Knew that they are loved

There is power in naming

I will never forget your name
God called you to be with him
Or her
Or them
But your legacy will never leave this earth

There is power in naming

I will fight to keep your message alive
I promise you
Everyone is loved
And they deserve to know
You won't be around to tell them
But I will

I will tell them
There is power in naming

Because that's what you taught me
I'll never be able to repay that

Thank you

•••

Megan Jones
10/14/67 - 9/18/17