Sunday, May 6, 2012

What's in a name?

Sometime in late September I will have a new name.  I don't know the exact form it will take yet, as I'm still actively seeking and weighing my options.  But whatever the actual name, it will mean one thing....

GRANDMOTHER
I'm not sure I'm ready for this.  I'm definitely not old enough for it, at least in MY mind.  My grandparents were all in their 60s when I was born, I'm not supposed to be becoming a grandmother at 43 years old!  To say that it hasn't quite sunk in yet is putting it very, very, very mildly.

Don't get me wrong.  A baby is always a blessing, and we are excited for our son and his wife.  They found out about a week ago that it will be a girl, so I can now start my baby knitting,, as soon as I figure out what that's going to be.

But the most significant matter on my mind in relation to this event is my name.  What will I be called?  Grandmother is too formal, not to mention old sounding, as are Grandma & Granny.  My grandparents were called MaMaw and PaPaw, with the only difference being the mountain pronunciation for my mother's parents in contrast to the mid-NC pronunciation for my father's parents.  I'm not opposed to being called MaMaw simply because of the pleasant memories that it creates in my mind, and that's probably the one I'm leaning towards at the moment.   Other suggestions I've heard are, Grammy, GiGi, GoGo, G-Mom, Glam-ma & Nana.  I don't hate any of those, but I still think there ought to be something better.

This is a weighty decision.  This is our first grandchild, and whatever name she uses will probably be what I am called by any future grandchildren as well.  The clock is ticking and September will be here before I know it!

Question for you:  Please tell me what you call your grandmother(s) in the comments and any other name suggestions you might have.

My Maternal Grandmother (AKA MaMaw)


5 comments:

  1. Congratulations! This will be an exciting time for you. My grandmother's were both gone by the time I was born. My mom is called "Nana" by all the grandkids. She chose that as that is what she called her grandmother. My dad is "Pap Pap". That come out of the mouth of the first grandchild and it stuck and all 10 call him it now. Enjoy each moment!

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  2. Congrats!!

    We called our paternal ones Grandma and Grandpa, maternal Granny and Grandpa. Nothing fancy or creative.

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  3. I'm one of those in-their-60s grandmas! I decided to let my first grandson call me what he wanted - he chose 'Dude' since I always called him that. Yeah, the second grandson calls me that too! Congratulations! And I bet she'll pick your name for you.

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  4. Thank you for all the comments. I guess what I'm worried about is something I hate becoming my name. My mother absolutely did not want to be called Granny, but when oldest niece was young my brother & his wife jokingly called her that and guess what my nieces all call her now?

    I know that whatever she is able to say when she's young will probably be what I'm called, but I figure I should at least give her some guidance in the right direction!

    Susan - I love that he calls you Dude!

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  5. You are too young to be a "granny". But how lucky is this child to have a motorcycle driving rockin' grandmother! Congrats.

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