Daily Prompt – Say Your Name

Daily Prompt – Say Your Name : Write about your first name: Are you named after someone or something? Are there any stories or associations attached to it? If you had the choice, would you rename yourself?

My first name is Joseph. I was named after my paternal grandfather, William Joseph Owens. Better known as Joe Hoss, he was a inimitable figure for over eighty years in the small town of Glade Spring, Virginia. I was blessed with two grandfathers that were like this in their small towns where they spent alomst their entire lives. Everyone knew my grandfather and, of course, knew I was his grandson.

To limit confusion when we were together some of my family would call me Joe Russ, which shortened my middle name, Russell the surname of my mother’s family. I was never unhappy with this because I felt it was a badge of honor to have a name similar to my grandfather. I loved spending time with my grandfathers and hearing tales about their exploits. I suppose they didn’t do anything so much more radical than any other, but to a loving grandchild every adventure seemed so magical.

My grandfather Joe Hoss, father, me and my son in 1995

When I was little I loved trains. Hoss took me to a local town where trains are on permanent display and let me climb around and pretend I was an engineer. He used to tell me I then asked for a moon pie and a coke. Grandaddy Owens was always about pleasing his grandchildren. I cannot remember ever asking for something that he did not deliver.

Granddaddy was especially fond of my wife when i first brought her around at the beginning of our relationship. I do not remember him ever calling her by her name. Instead he called her Apple Blossom. I never asked or understood why, but eventually he shortened it to just “apple”. He loved having all the family around and was good for plenty of laughs at our annual Christmas Eve gatherings.

I certainly have never considered a different name. My name carries so much meaning and great memories. Beside that, after so many decades answering to it how could I ever learn a new one!

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