Naming the New Year baby

RONAN — The meaning of names is extremely important in Japanese culture. That is the reason that the first baby born in Lake County in 2011 is named Amaya Jun Odell Shizuku.

The first baby arrived at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan at 3:56 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5, weighing in at 5 pounds, 11 ounces.

She is the daughter and first child of Kyota and Michelle Shizuku, of Polson.

The Shizuku’s explain that Amaya means “night rain” in Japan, referencing peacefulness, calmness and being balanced. The two middle names are derived from Kyota’s sister Jun and Michelle’s sister, Sarah Odell. Jun means pureness. And, Odell has a connotation of pureness or “of song.” The couple’s last name completes the circle since Shizuku, in Japanese, has a water connection meaning raindrop or dew.

The proud father, who is known as Kyo by his many friends, came to the U.S. in 1998 to study at the University of Montana.

“We really focused on choosing the names because of their meaning and our hope that Amaya will live a peaceful, calm and balanced life,” he said.

The Japanese cultural influences will continue for Amaya as she grows up in the Shizuku household.

“We plan to speak Japanese at home so that she will be bilingual and hopefully have a good connection with her extended family in Japan,” Michelle said.

In fact, the couple notes that Kyo’s parents will travel from the Far East to Montana in May.

“They say they’re coming for my graduation, but we figure that the month-long stay is really an excuse to spend time with their new granddaughter,” Kyo said with a laugh. The first-time dad, who has been an athletic trainer at area high schools and the University of Montana since getting a degree in 2004, will be receiving his doctorate of physical therapy in May.

The new baby coupled with the completion of the degree will allow the family to reconnect since schooling has kept them going different directions for the most part since 2006.

“I’m excited about starting a career in physical therapy, but family is my number one priority,” Kyo emphasizes. “I want to take time to be with family, to further deepen our relationships and really appreciate each moment that we share,” he said, adding that he would like to remain in the Mission Valley, at least for a while.

Michelle is a Polson High School graduate and a senior contract administrator at DRS in Polson. Kyo, who is an intern in the Ronan hospital’s physical therapy department, calls St. Luke “a great community hospital and we have been fortunate to be a part of it.”

St. Luke delivered 147 babies in 2010, and although Amaya Jun Odell Shizuku did not arrive until January 5, the uniquely named newborn marks the fourth year in a row that the Ronan hospital has once again delivered the first baby born in Lake County.