MY NAME IS CHANGING AGAIN

The last couple of times we’ve had dinner with our family I have been enthralled as we sit and talk around the table…by all the names I’m called. Since James was given to me by my parents on the day that I was born. like most people I’ve had many names…many hats that I have worn In the moments our family spends together, however, in all the conversations we have had… Deborah calls me Jim…Damien, Trista Taylor, Aden and Ava call me PopPop… while Bryan, Ali and Ryan call me Dad. And I got to thinking…now that Damien and Trista are about to have a baby (November 14th is the anticipated date) although I don’t yet know what my great-granddaughter will call me… I know it will be great. Whatever name she chooses…I’ll add it to the list I’ve been compiling… and just like Jim and Dad and PopPop…when I hear it you can bet that I’ll be smiling. Which makes me think… although our birth certificate contains the first name to befall us…: we spend the rest of our life trying to live up to all the different names that people call us. With the hope the people who say our name…whatever name will always love…and never fear it… and we will smile…feeling that same love…every time we hear it. So when we’re gone…when our friends and family are seated around a table… when only memories of us remain…. a smile will cross the face of everyone… every time they say our name.