What’s In a Name?

A guest post by Kim Sorrelle. 

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It is amazing how many names can be acquired in a lifetime. Names that come and go and names that last forever.

At birth, I was given the name Kimberly Sue Langlois, Kimmie for short. My aunts, uncles, and cousins still call me Kimmie. Starting in kindergarten, I became Kim to the non-family world. When I had a spat with the neighbor kids, I became “Lead Bottom Langlois” to which I would respond “Cigar Butt Garstka!” I will never forget being called “pleasantly plump” in third grade or Slick Watts (long story) in tenth. I was a Condor in middle school, a Panther in high school, and a Spartan in College.

Other names popped up over the years:

“Hey, Waitress!”

“Mrs. Sorrelle”

“Coach”

“Mother-in-law”

“Head Chef and Bottle Washer”

And two of my favorites, “Wife” and “Mom.”

A few years ago I gained a new name: “Uma.” It’s funny how you don’t care what your grandchildren call you just so long as they do. When I would say to 18-month-old Aurora “Say Grandma!” she would smile wide and cheer “Uma!” It stuck and I like it. I make sure to let people know that it is “Uma” like Uma Therman, not to be confused with the German “Oma.” Uma sounds like a hot, hip woman traveling abroad wearing animal prints and high leather boots while I picture Oma as an elderly gray-haired woman baking cookies in her housecoat and slippers.

Uma makes me feel like I have accomplished something. My kids have grown-up, moved, married, and reproduced. They have jobs and bills and couches and washing machines and spatulas.

Who would have thought when their worlds revolved around Donkey Kong, Big Wheels, and T-Ball, that someday they would become heads of families with spatulas? I wear “Uma” like a badge of honor. I love hearing Evayah say, “Uma, I wuv you so much,” or Crichton’s “When you coming my house, Uma?” Hearing “Uma” makes me do crazy things like dance like a dinosaur, make play-dough caterpillars, and watch The Wiggles. I have crumbs in my bed, paint in my hair and water in my plastic teacup. I find it impossible to say “no” when a question starts with “Uma, can I…?”

I now need “Uma” fixes. It is like a drug that changes my voice, vocabulary, and judgment. I no longer believe in spankings or sending kids to their rooms. Time-outs are shorter than they should be but I hear “sorry, Uma,” and all is forgiven. “Uma” turns me into a blob of flesh with a permanent smile. I love being Uma.

Some names are voiced and others just are. The superficial ones like “pleasantly plump” hurt as much as the “talented artist” help. Names can destroy egos, damage reputations, and demolish self-worth. Others can increase confidence, instill courage, and influence careers.

Some names are a part of your very essence, “Christian” is the one I want people to see, to feel in me. I pray that my heart screams “Christian” as obviously as a hijab shouts Muslim. I pray for God’s eyes so that I can see people the way He does. I pray for God’s heart, so I can have compassion, love, and respect for everyone. I pray that people can see God in me. I pray that everyone can recognize how much God loves them. I pray that I am not a hindrance, but help to God. I pray that God takes the worst of situations and makes great things come from them. I pray for healing, peace, joy, and understanding.

I praise the Lord that there is one name that we all share, that brings unity and equality, “Child of God.” His workmanship, created in his image. I love “Uma” but “Child of God” beats them all.

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.” Proverbs 22:1-2

God is good, all the time.

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Kim Sorrelle is the author of Cry Until You Laugh, a book that she started writing after being diagnosed with breast cancer and continued writing through her husband’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis four months later. She is working on a second book now that will be released next winter. Kim is the Executive Director of Rays of Hope International, a humanitarian organization working to bring education, medical care and vocational training in third world countries. She also owns a couple of businesses, loves book club and people. Kim loves spending time with her many grandchildren, the best gift her kids ever gave her, even surpassing the noodle necklace from one of their second-grade art classes.  

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Feature photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash.