Well, Zoe's mom, I know the feeling.
My parents put a lot of thought into my name. When I was born my parents wanted something original. They decided to name me after my dad. Not many girls can actually say that they are named after their dad. I like the fact that I am named after my dad, its unusual but really cool.
When I would tell people that I was named after my dad, people's first reaction would be to say "oh its too bad he didn't have a son". Let me make this clear, he did, my older brother is named after both our grandfathers.
Besides the name on my birth certificate I have several family nicknames that have been given to me over the years. Most family nicknames have been given through familiarity, love, and usually some silly circumstance. All have a story (no I'm not going to share) and most thankfully, I have outgrown.
Also when I was little I was "Kenny's little sister", but since there are several years difference in our ages by the time I was in Jr. High and High School I was back to being referred to by my own name again.
Other people who don't know me well, have also taken to shortening my name. I am not sure where that came from but it happens. It does seem rather odd though when someone who is not a close personal friend takes the liberty to assume that they know me well enough to shorten my name.
When I had my daughter, I got another name, I became "the kid's mom". The new name didn't really bother me. Unlike some of the names that my brother bestowed upon me in my youth, "mom" was a title that I wore proudly.
As I have gotten older and my daughter's friends have gotten comfortable using my first name I once again thought I had my name back. Until the other day.
The other day another adult actually introduced me as "The Episcopal Priest's Wife"! Now I will admit that is a new one, I guess that will be just one more name for my book.
So why is it that when a kid gives you a title like "the kid's mom" its not so bad? But when you are given the title by an adult such as "the husband's wife" it feels like a loss of identity? After all they both are really part of who I am. In fact "beloved wife and mother" is quite a compliment on a tombstone. It says a lot about the person who is buried there.
However, I am still very much alive and I think I would still like to be introduced by my name or at the very least, "this is the Episcopal priest's wife, The Lovely Wife".
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