What is your name?

My mother always yearned for a middle name so as a young adult she gave herself Marie. Later in her life, if she couldn’t remember your name, she chose one that she thought suited you, and that’s who you were to her from that time forward. Brent became Steve and Martha Jean might become Janie and no one seemed to mind.

Years ago my husband called me “Big Mama” when I am not that big, and it stuck. He also designated my daddy as “Boss” after working for him in his dry cleaning business and he kept it for the rest of his life. It often brought a smile to those who heard it for he was a gentle, unassuming man and everyone knew mother was the real boss in our family.


Today I am also called Momma, Mom, Mamaw, MeMo, Carol, and Sis by a dear friend. 


In my book, Agnes Hopper Shakes Up Sweetbriar, the main character, Agnes, shares my mother's spunky spirit as well as part of her name--Marie and Hopper, mother's maiden name.


Names are important. They help to tell the story of who we are.
What are some of your names?