What's Your Name

Growing up my Dad had a nickname for everyone he ever met. My grandfather’s name was James Roth and he nicknamed him "hot rock". Why? My Dad explained to me that he had a hot temper and he was the most stubborn person you would ever meet. He also said that if my grandfather had it in his head that the stop sign was green he would argue with you that it was actually green. (Well, now I know where I get my stubbornness from.) My Dad also had a name for my grandmother and it was "granny franny". Not the best choice of names but then again, my grandmother would not expect any less from him. The list (of his victims) goes on but the one that has affected me the most is the one he gave me when I was 12 years old. How bad could it be, right? Well, it is so bad that is has gone through three generations and is still holding strong. My sister, Haley was having a hard time pronouncing my name. She was still really small and we were working with her on her words. My name came out one day as "Boo". And once Dad caught wind of it and the name Boo has stayed with me ever since. It has stayed so much that even my niece calls me Boo. My children actually call me that when they want to pick on me. (which is quite regularly) It’s the nickname that will never die. I can remember my father’s co-workers would also call me Boo and now my husband family also calls me Boo every once in awhile.

I began thinking today of all the nicknames I gave my family that have stayed. My grandfather that I was talking about earlier I named him "Pa". And my grandmother I called "Mom". And yes, it gets quite confusing when we are all together. My aunt, whose real name is Jennifer is now "Kiki" to all who know her. I'm trying to get her to change her facebook name to Kiki. My Dad is now "Papa" to his grandchildren and even me. I think that name fits him quite well. And my Mom is "Mimi". She makes a great Mimi.

My niece, Nora named my husband "Bubba". And of coarse, my Dad has kept it up. That one is really funny. So even our husbands are not without the curse of the nicknames. When you think about it, it says something for someone to give you a nickname; like that they feel comfortable enough to have a special "name" for you. It creates a family environment and that place you can call home. I am honored to carry the name that my sister gave me and my Dad will never let die- Boo.

Ana and Ethan have already changed the names of already some of our family members. Justin, my sister's husband (and my husband's brother) is now known as JJ. Ana was having a hard time saying Justin and it one day came to her that he was JJ. Justin will always be JJ to my kids. And Ethan does call my Dad, Papa but he is recently calling him, Rod-ger. (translation is Roger) Its funny that even though the nickname was decided on as Papa- my son is breaking all the rules! But what can I say; Ethan is turning out to be a lefty like his Papa Roger and is the spitting image of my Dad. I also envisioned myself as being called, Mom. But my kids call me "Mama". Once we finally got the gift of children I think I would have settled with Boo. I was so longing to be a Mom. And my husband is "Daddy". As it should be.

Nicknames will change or remain the same but as the person carrying the name we will be the blessed ones. For a child to be creative by selecting that one and special name is a memory that will last forever. So cherish what name your kids, grandkids selected for you because it could be the best gift you could ever get.