Auburn Gal Always

NEWS RELEASE
Alabama
January 21, 2007

After months, possibly years, of dreaded thoughts, nightmares and anxiety attacks on half the expectant parents, the discussions became debates. Debates became light arguments. Arguments gave way to reasoning. Finally reasoning allowed saner minds to prevail. Minds that considered what the child's future held - when named after his BELOVED grandfather. The possibility of ridicule and endless "ROTHER?!?!?!? Roe-thur? How do you spell that?" questions were finally viewed in a not-so-positive light.

A unique name can be a gift.

A name reflecting one's heritage can be a wonderful memoir and honor of that previous generation.

A name weirder than any other name in the WORLD, not so much.

As negotiations drew to a close, Jimmy Carter's involvement in the Melodramatic Name Negotiations was not necessary. The parents were able to reach an amicable, equally-agreeable agreement on the poor child's name.

This all occurred well before the deadline of leaving the hospital and being forced by hospital administrators to complete the Social Security Administration paperwork.

The parents are satisfied. The process ended up being peaceful as well.

Two baby name books were consulted. Each parent thoroughly reviewed each name and marked their favorites using their method of choice. The mother's choices were marked first. "Comments" (not always kind ones!) were made by the father that occasionally irritated the mother and, at other times, emphasized the mother's reasons as to why the grandfather's name should NOT be used.

duh

After the father's review of both baby name books, a list was compiled of the names that both parents preferred, in addition to names each parent favored in spite of the other's opinion.

This list was shortened to roughly 20 choices.

These choices were written on a white-board and located in a place of prominence at the bottom of the refrigerator door.

This white-board was seen several times each day by all members of the family and the few guests who braved the heat of baby name battle.

After several days, the white-board was removed. Both parents had determined that several names just weren't sitting well with them. These names were marked with an X and crossed out. (Since simply marking with an X OR crossing out the name was not sufficient, both methods were used. At this point, reducing the possibility of confusion was also important.) Thus reducing the LIST to approximately 5 favorites.

The pitiful parents favorite name choice was removed due to its extreme nationwide popularity. There is such a thing as being TOO common.

The mother's favorite name was eliminated.

The father reconciled himself to the fact that his son would NOT be named after his father.

Sorreeeee!!!

The mother conceded to allow the grandfather's first name as the son's middle name with the agreement that one of 4 names be used as his first name, thus securing the name he would be known by, and referred to by everyone FOREVER!!!

After a long weekend and a hunting trip, the father was pressured into a decision. Surprisingly, he chose NOT to use the grandfather's name as the middle name. It was all or nothing for the father.

"Dang!" was the mother's secret reaction, "I could have settled this months ago!"

The mother made a final vote for her remaining favorite first name and suggested using the father's middle name for the son's middle name.

The father announced his decision via the daughter's whisper earlier this week.

"Lucky"*

Reviews at this time are generally positive.

The maternal grandmother hates it: "stupid name. Is that even a boy's name anyway? Why not use Brent or Kent? I like those names much better."

"uh, no. It's Lucky. Sorry!"

Lucky was a character played by John Wayne. This is enough of an endorsement for the father, and strangely enough, the daughter too.

Thus ends the Melodramatic Name Negotiations.

There will be no further updates on this story.

--Auburn Gal Always; BFP, PO'd

* (NOT his real name. His blog/internet name. Like the rest of his family of dopes, he will be referred to with a pseudonym hereafter. Sorry!)