Reid and I spoke with Brianna one night this past week. At one point during Reid’s turn, as she carefully ennunciated “Bawanna”, her tongue let her down and she said “Banana” instead. A smile moved across her face and her eyes danced. After nearly 4 years of knowing Brianna, Reid discovered Brianna’s nickname and it delighted her. The next time Reid spoke it, she smiled before saying Banana. When the conversation ended, I told Reid about Chantelle and Donald’s last name and she grinned at that, too. I wonder if she’ll mention it to them at Easter. I’m sure Brianna is used to this sort of discovery, in the same way that Ken and I have become used to the expression that comes over people’s faces when they make the connection between our names or the Barbie and Ken jokes that they somehow think no one else would have told one to us before.
The next day while I was doing Reid’s hair, I sang the “Name Game“. It seems to have been the first time that I’ve sang it to Reid or maybe it was the first time that Reid paid attention when I sang it. In any case, Reid enjoyed the song and didn’t make a fuss as I did combed and braided her hair. It was a good distraction and helped me to practice the names of kids in Reid’s class. I think we might use it to remember family names.
On another night we spoke with Kathleen. We’ve been talking about Kathleen more lately as we try to make arrangements for her wedding. Reid wanted clarification as to where exactly Kathleen fit into the family. I told her that Kathleen was Melissa and Sari’s little sister. Reid objected with a grin, “Kafleen is not little!” I reminded her that I was Grandma Joyce’s baby even though I was not young and she nodded and filed Kathleen as a “little sister” as well as Uncle Chris’ daughter. And so it was that I asked Reid if she wanted to speak with Cousin Kathleen when I held out the phone. Reid accepted it quickly and said, “Hello, Cousin Kathleen.” Reid was in a chatty mood and since we rarely speak with Kathleen, in couldn’t have come at a better time.
Have a safe, snowy day.
I think there is a lot of worth in how we are named. I could not name my son till the day after he was born! He did not fit any names we had picked out. Have a good day out there, is it really snowing? We still have piles out here, but its just flat out cold now. take care!