In today’s busy world, it’s often hard to find the time or space to share our life stories with others. That’s where journaling comes in—a powerful way to capture your experiences, memories, and insights in your own words. My Tell Your Story Through Journaling series encourages you to explore your journey through guided prompts, creating a lasting record that others might one day cherish and learn from. Whether you’re writing for yourself or for future readers, this is your chance to give your story the time and attention it deserves. Today, let’s talk about the story behind your name.
What is the Story Behind Your Name?
What’s the story behind my name? Here’s what I know from my mother’s account of how I was named. My first name is Kathy, but that wasn’t always the plan. Apparently, my dad had his heart set on the name Ronnie—a name he thought was quite popular for girls in the 1950s. However, my mom wasn’t having it. She argued that Ronnie sounded more like a boy’s name and insisted that I be given a name with a more feminine touch. Mom preferred Catherine or Kathleen, names with a classic elegance, but Dad felt those were too formal, maybe even a bit too fancy. After some negotiation, they landed on Kathy—a perfect compromise that struck a balance between their tastes. It’s funny how a name can carry a story, not just of a person, but of family dynamics and decisions that shaped who they wanted me to be.
My middle name, Marie, carries a much deeper and more painful history. It was the name of my dad’s sister, Marie, who married young and had a son, Jimmy, who would later become my adopted brother. From what I remember, Marie’s marriage was a turbulent one, with constant fights followed by makeups—a cycle that never seemed to end.
After one particularly painful argument, Marie and her husband, Tommy, decided to reconcile. They arranged for someone to watch Jimmy overnight while they spent time together at a local motel. But life had a different plan. That night, a gas leak in the motel took their lives in their sleep. Jimmy went on to join our family, and to honor Marie’s memory—a beloved sister and mother who left too soon—I inherited her name as my middle name. It’s a lasting tribute to the love and loss that shaped my family.
Carrying Marie as my middle name feels like holding a piece of family history close to my heart. It’s a quiet reminder of love, loss, and resilience—the legacy of my aunt and the bond we share through Jimmy. Though the story is filled with pain, it also teaches me about the strength found in remembering and honoring those who came before us. It’s a part of me, deeply woven into my journey.
KathieyV