Making Up Names

What did you call your grandparents?

Nana?

Pop pop?

Maybe it was the traditional Grandpa and Grandma.

Do you remember why you called them that?

I have eleven grandchildren. I still remember how excited I was when my oldest daughter told us we were going to be grandparents. My oldest granddaughter is eight years old now.

When she was just a baby, my lovely wife and I decided what we wanted her to call us.

We’ve decided we want to be called Grammy and Papa.

I’m not sure what the protocol is for a grandparent name. I’ve heard some people suggest that it has to be given to you. You don’t get to pick it.

Well, none of those people are in our family, apparently.

I picked Papa because it’s what I called my grandfather. My brothers and I all called my grandfather Papa. But, I don’t think any of my cousins used that same name for him. We all called my grandmother Granny.

I also knew my great grandfather. We called him Big Grandpa.

I don’t remember my dear mother telling us what she wanted to be called by her grandchildren. She was just always Grandma Bliss.

The thing is, that’s a misnomer. My father passed away many years ago and my dear mother remarried a man whose last name is Nelson. But, my children had already learned her name as Grandma Bliss. So, even though her name hasn’t been Bliss for more than a decade, that doesn’t matter.

She will always be Grandma Bliss.

What names did you call your grandparents?

And what names will your grandkids call you?

Stay safe

Rodney M Bliss is an author, columnist and IT Consultant. His blog updates every weekday. He lives in Pleasant Grove, UT with his lovely wife, thirteen children and grandchildren. Order Miscellany II, an anthology including his latest short story, “The Mercy System” here

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