The Killer B's

    As a child growing up in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia I lived with family members who were quite adept at making nicknames for others.  Surprisingly enough most of their names stuck and most were appropriate.  I was always amazed at how these individuals could do this so well as I never had an ounce of creativity towards this end.  As I matured and got married and now have children I have come to realize that this is definitely a family trait--handed down by generations.  I have 3 daughters who have carried on the family tradition of nicknaming those they are related to or are friends with. Most of these names have special meaning and are fond remembrances of these people and what they mean by the use of the name.  Pretty harmless!!!  Right???
     Today's society demonstrates this in many ways and most are not attractive.  As a woman in today's society having to deal with all of the issues and inequalities I have raised 3 daughters to be fine women.  I have had great role models and great support from my husband.  I am traditional, conservative and have raised my girls in much the same way I was raised.  It worked out well for me so what's the harm?  The harm is that society today feels the need to comment on you and everything you are.  In return they don't want your answer or a comment back.  Of course I can't help myself and respond and thus the labels, names are placed upon me.  Case in point.  I had a great role model and her name was Mary.  She was physically small but you knew when she was near.  She spoke softly but when it required firmness she never hesitated.She lived her life with purpose and meaning and was genuine in everything.  I was shown by her to live life honestly and with integrity.  I have been   a nurse for 20 plus years and have been quite successful.  The interesting thing that I find lately is that people that you only work with have the audacity  to think they know you and make statements about you that  are not only inaccurate but totally not who I am.  I know people at work a a superficial level.  That's how I like it and that's how I roll.  I am aggressive and assertive and I know what I want and who I am.  I have lived my life and been present in the living and have made definite choices.  So why the name "killer B's"???Lately I have found at work that people like me --mostly women who are aggressive, assertive and know how to do the job and don't compromise their position or who they are for any reason are labeled--bitch.  Interesting!! We call men who  have these same attributes leaders, strong, confident.  So like I have said I have raised 3 daughters with these same traits --and I am so proud because they will know who they are and what they want and where they are going and they will be leaders and they will be confident- no matter the 'nickname.'  Thus we are the 'Killer B's.     

How It Came to Be.

The other day at work one of my collegues was relating a story about a nurse calling a patient and was not sure about pronouncing the name. This nurse tried everything and no one came forward. The nurse retreated to the office and after some time came to recall the patient. A lady stood up and came forward and with her hand in the air started to point out her name by spelling it. The name started with three letters and then there was something I had never heard before--and this is why I have decided to blog. She then included in the spelling of her name an 'upper comma' and then finished spelling her name.
I have lived with the infamous 'upper comma' for 28 years and have never heard this before. I was always told it was an apostrophe. Silly me!! We have had our share of problems with this 'upper comma'. Most people ignore it and never include it in our last name. Some think each member of our family has a middle name that starts with the same initial and the 'upper comma' is ignored. Some computer programs don't acknowledge the 'upper comma; and so when one of our kids went to university they couldn't admit her with the 'upper comma'. Oh 'upper comma' what shall we do with you?
I was always taught your name is yours and yours alone and it is to be respected. When I was younger I always corrected people for any misspelling or wrong pronouncing of our name. Now as I am older I think it amusing that I should have enjoyed the 'upper comma' all along. Who knew it could be so much fun.
This is why I have decided to blog --to have fun and enjoy some of the ridiculous and lighter times in life.