Charmed
Life
Gretheline
Genciana Ramos-Bolandrina
Names
"From our ancestors come our
names; from our virtues our honor" —Proverb
It was William Shakespeare who said, "What's
in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
He said it best and he's been quoted numerous times. I particularly enjoyed
Matthew Sutherland's piece, "A Rhose, by any Other Name." It is a delightful
and funny read. I recently read "The Namesake" a novel by Pulitzer Prize
winner, Jhumpa Lahiri (the same author of "Interpreter of Maladies") and
was inspired to write about names.
To name a child, in India, can wait. It wasn't
unusual, it states, to take years for the right name, the best possible name
to be determined. "There was always pet names to tide over." In the Philippines,
we have nicknames, in Tagalog, "palayaw," "a persistent remnant of childhood,
a reminder that life is not always so serious, so formal, so complicated."
Growing up I was "Ethel," all the way to college. Early on, though I don't
remember its origin, I was called "Boots" at one point, "botel" a rhyming,
sing-song combination. Formally in school, I was Gretheline. It wasn't until
I was about to graduate from grade school that I was made to write my full
name on all school documents. My second name "Genciana" in ancestral honor
emerged. As is customary in the Philippines, I shared a middle name with
all my siblings, that of my mother's maiden name, "Luyun." I know I'm in
trouble at home when I am addressed as Grethel. Being second eldest in a
brood of seven, I also held the title "Ate" to my younger siblings and cousins,
sometimes "Manang" in Ibanag, my parents' dialect. This is somehow shortened
to 'te Eth or 'nang Eth.
My Mom is the clever name giver. My Ate's
full name is a combination of both grandmothers', modernized. From Ingracia
and Juanita came "Gracienita." Her second name, "Katherine" was my Mom's
personal choice with the intention of calling her "Kaye" for short but as
it turned out, Ate is more of a Grace. Articulated well in the bumper sticker
"Grace happens," very definitive and so we made sure to get her one. My younger
sister Gladiola is named after my Mom's favorite flower, Gay Estrella is
a junior of sorts. Maria Concepcion was born December 8, Genevieve versus
Jeannie and my only brother, Teodolo Junior needs no explanation. As for
me, it turns out, the inspiration was gutsy little Gretel who saved the day
with a push, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Of course, my
Mom, the creative being that she is, added an "h" and "ine" in the end. Homemade
as my husband Joe is quick to point out, and then recite, "Ethel" with a
"GR," yet he's first to call me "Greth." I like that the name "Ethel" means
"noble" and fancy that "Gretheline" may one day live up to part of that meaning.
It does, somewhat sound a bit ethnic. Though I've been asked, many a time,
in spite of my brown skin if I am German.
As one is not all things to all people, I
am not simply Gretheline
to everyone. I have been called "G," "Gretch," "Gretchen,"
"Greta," "Grethyl," "Gretalyn" and "Grethlyn." Despite being confused with
the hydrocarbon, I think my name was fashionable. Note that I specifically
wrote, WAS. There is no popularity ranking for it and the only other Gretheline
I've met in person, is my godchild, a friend's daughter, born 1989 who they
named after moi :)
Names by which one is adored, scolded, missed
and loved also holds dear to my heart. I am "buttercup," "bluesky," "babe,"
"M-R-S-Bola," "nurse," "professor," "instructor," "auntie," "tita," "hija,"
"anak" and the sweetest of all "mama." At home, we have come up with a few
chosen pet names for our kids, "hunny-bun-bun," "pooh-bear," "paprika" and
"maxi-boy." Each of their formal names hold a wonderful tale. Jessica is
Joe's favorite tune; I picked Gino, short and to the point. His middle name
Ray is from Stevie Ray, another of Joe's favorites. Lilly Amber honors both
the memories of Priscilla Sabinay and Ambrosio Bolandrina. Lastly, for our
"bunso" we took to the Greek tradition of reversing the father's first and
middle name. Would have been easily made feminine if there was need to. Combining
our first names didn't result into something unique, nor did it bring any
decent combinations. I would have regretted calling a child Jose-line!
In my own head, my name means strength. It
also means sadness and then hope. It is like a chime. A secondary color like
green or orange. A bunch of notes, played on a solo saxophone. A cry. Love
of life. Destined into making the best of who I am, what I got and not being
sorry because I couldn't be all the things I want to be. Which, to this day,
I have yet to figure all out anyhow. Forever a little girl with pebbles or
bread crumbs, bravely taking on the wicked witch. Could be translated into
my life, but then again, instead of Hansel, I have a Joseph. . .
Feel free to e-mail me reactions, comments
and or suggestions for ideas to ponder. Contact me at
Gretheline@aol.com or through Carousel
Productions. |
