WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

When my daughter Jessi announced that she was pregnant, people soon began asking me what I’d want the grandchild to call me. I said, “I don’t know but don’t call me Granny.”

Many offered stories about grandparents who chose their names and then the toddlers turned it into something quite different.

There’s a flamboyant lady in our town and she wanted to be called Grand MaMa … say it fast with a French accent. Anyway…her first grandchild couldn’t handle the French accent and called her Maw … and now everyone does.

Sometimes grandchildren can pick the best names. My sister and brother-in-law were going to be Mamaw and Papaw. But her first granddaughter decided that her name was Honey because that’s what Papaw called her.

Some grandmothers take greatness into their own hands. Our other sister- and brother-in-law decided on Goddess and G-Daddy … not to be confused with P Diddy or Puff Daddy.

I still had not chosen a name when Jessi went into labor. I was careful not to pick a name already taken so I waited until everyone else had picked one. It was time to sign the baby book, so I chose Meme.

A week later my son’s wife asked what name I chose. I told her I would be Meme. She said, “That’s a good name. That’s my mom’s name too.” I realized at that moment that when they have children, both grandmothers would be named Meme.

Her mother is very petite and I am tall. I can hear it now…she will be Little Meme and I will be Big Meme. I think I’d rather be Maw.