What’s in a name?

Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him. Mel Brooks, 1926 –  American film director, screenwriter, composer, lyricist, comedian, actor and producer.

I spend more time that I have available in reading other people’s blogs.  The title for today’s blog jumped into my mind after reading Wendy at http://writerwoman61.wordpress.com/.  In her post, she talks about nearing 50 and the various names she has and does answer to.

Well, I have more than 20 years on her so I thought I would do the same.  Thanks Wendy for the idea.  I have been:

• Daughter
• Sister
• Friend
• Girlfriend
• Wife
• Soulmate
• Mother
• Grandmother
• and more

and for each of these stages, I have had a different name.

Daughter – For 19 years I was Judith Rita.  My surname was always met with surprise and comments such as “But what is your last name dear?”

Sister – still Judith Rita but the questions posed were “So are you Christine’s younger sister?” or “Are you Marianne’s big sister?”

Friend – I have answered on occasions to Jude. Judy, Diff (an early boyfriend thought this was funny) but mostly I am Judith.

Girlfriend – Often I was called love, darling, dear, honey and even lovey by one erstwhile boyfriend.  And one asked me if I call everybody Darling because I can’t remember their names.

Wife and Soulmate – I was always darling to my soulmate as he was to me.  His special name for me was Angel and when our daughter was born she was Angel II.

Mother – When the children were small I was Mummy, moving onto Mum as they grew older and from my daughter during her learning German phase I was Mutti.  When my daughter and I worked together for some years she called me Judith and still does quite often.

And now instead of Cate being asked if she is my daughter, I am regularly asked if I am her mother.  How things change.

Grandmother – When James was small (he is now 16) he used to call me Nampa and his grandfather was the other Nampa.  This soon changed to Granma or sometimes just G.

Grandsons several years ago

And what do I call other people?  Always Darling for the family – the boys are called Darling No1, No2, No3 and No4.  Jae the youngest responded to my calling him Darling One with “No Granma – I’m Darling number 4”.  He was about 4 years old at the time.

“At my age the only problem is with remembering names. When I call everyone darling, it has damn all to do with passionately adoring them, but I know I’m safe calling them that. Although, of course, I adore them too.”  Richard Attenborough , CBE  1923 –   British actor, director, producer and entrepreneur.