Open Door

Is your front door open?  It might cost you and it might be messy. An open door may let in pain but it may also let in some wonderful relationships.  We have experienced both. Like many parents we …

Source: Open Door

What’s in a name?

Choosing a name for your soon-to-be-born child can be a daunting challenge.  It could take a full nine months.   Parents must cooperate and both be satisfied with the final selection.  Each partner may have differing ideas about how the name should be chosen.  Some wish to carry a family name.  Some desire a modern name, which may equate toa name that was popular 100 years ago.   For example, I have been hearing the name Mabel recently for infants.  My grandmother, Mabel, was born in 1908.   Some creative parents make up a “new” name.   We gave our children biblical names.

During the 1950’s through the 1980’s siblings often received names which all began with the same letter.  Twins had rhyming names such as Don and John.  There are theme names such as flowers like Rose, Lily, Violet, and Daisy; or months/seasons such as April, June, August, Spring and Autumn; and even gemstones such as Ruby and Pearl.   I have been partial to Faith, Hope, Grace, and Charity, but have been told these are “hippie names.”    Even last names can be used as first names.  Some strive for unique names only later to discover the name they choose is quiet popular.

No one will give their child the name of a kid they knew and disliked.  One must consider how a name could be shortened and even mutilated by other children.   Please pay attention to initials.  My brother had a third grade teacher who referred to students in this manner.  Unfortunately his initials were B.M.

We do not choose our own name.  It is given by loving parents who deliberate long and hard.   Some choose a name based on the name’s origin and meaning.   A few individuals will choose their favorite version of their name.  For example my name is Diane, but I often refer to myself as Di.   Most of us don’t even choose our nick names.    Our son Daniel, was called Danny as a child, but as an adult goes by Dan.

But every mother and father has the opportunity to choose what their children will call them.  Will it be mother, mom, momma, mama, or mum?  Will it be Father, Dad, Daddy, Poppa, Poppy, or Pop?    It is whatever you teach your child it is.  This too could change with time, and attitude.

When I became a grandmother, I chose to embrace my German heritage and named myself Oma.  Recently my granddaughters have shorted that already short name to just Oms.   Some grandparents do receive their name from a grandchild.  That is how my husband’s grandfather was called Bopo as was his father and now him.

I think it very nice when each grandparent has a slightly different name from other grandparents.   My grandparents were all called grandma and grandpa and all their last names started with the letter H.  It was often confusing.     I was 20 when my first child was born and my parents became grandparents at age 43.   My dad really felt too young to be called grandpa.  For more than a year we referred to my folks as Grandma and the Man.  Eventually our son named him Pa, and it stuck.

As you are considering names for your child, talk with your parents about their grandparent names, if they don’t already have them.    This Oma is awaiting the birth of her 12^th grandchild in mid-Dec. 2016 and her parents are still working on her name. I am confident it will be as beautiful as she will be. 

 

No Candidate Endorsed

Are you tired of the political scene?  Do you wish all the campaigning was over and Facebook could return to funny memes, adorable pics and recipes?  Are you ready for this election to be done?

I have already voted at the county building.  I voted early for two reasons.  1. I am tired of thinking about it. 2. I did not want to risk the slim possibility that I would need to be out of town on Election day, and therefore, unable to cast my vote.

Voting is very important to me.  My parents loudly and frequently (probably only at election times) drilled it into my siblings and I that voting was our American right, privilege, and responsibility.   Civic duty was important to them.  They are a part of the Builder Generation.  I can recall my parents hosting neighborhood coffees for local races.  In retirement, my dad has served on the board of directors at the local fire station and community golf course.

We have no choice about paying taxes, but we do have a voice about who is elected. Yes, I do believe that every vote counts.  I do think every citizen should vote (but only once, Chicago!).

Parents have a unique opportunity to be an influential voice to their children.  When my children were young, I often took one or more of them with me to the polling place.  It was an occasion to discuss the election process, the role of government, and even some of the issues that were age appropriate.

Voting is a way of participating in our society, our nation, our culture, our heritage and our state or local community.  I think debating issues often sheds light on perspective and provides insight one had not previously considered.  Having two or more parties helps bring balance.  To borrow a slogan: We are better together.

My parents have also voted early.  Will all my children be voting on or by Election Day 2016?  They better be.

How have you involved your children in the election?   Will you be watching the voting returns together?   How about praying with them for our nation for the election and the reactions to the results?