What’s in a name?

I’m a middle child. Number six in a family of 12. I carried all the feelings of a middle child - unimportant, lonely and neglected.

Even my name proved my unworthiness - Marie. Just Marie. Not even a middle name. Once I complained to Mama because I was the only one of her children who didn’t have a middle name and she said, "Well, let’s give you a middle name. How aboutKathleen?" But I didn’t think it counted when it didn’t come with my birth certificate, though I did secretly claim the name. Today I claim one of my nieces named Kathleen Marie as my namesake.

I might not have minded so much if my 11 sibling’s names hadn’t had special meanings. George Hayes, the first born, was named after Papa. Verne Alvin - his second name belonged to Mama’s father.Third born, Lela Inez, was handed Mama’s name. Then came Helen, who received her beautiful middle name from her great Aunt Rose.

Even my brother born just one year before me got his handle so handsomely. My parents owned a dairy at the time of his birth. We had plenty of food when many were near starvation. When my parent’s unnamed baby boy was born they thought it would be fun to place an ad in the local paper, "Name our new son." Paul David was the name they chose, and the winner received free milk for six months.

Maybe Mama and Papa were just exhausted from picking names by the timeI arrived on the scene. I have an idea they thought I might be their last, because they adopted the next three babies. These special brothers and a sister received such pretty names. The twins became Barbara Jean and Robert Dean; my youngest brother, Max Lee.

Then, along came three more girls. Joy Christina - her middle name belonged to a wealthy friend of Mama’s and being her namesake guaranteed an inheritance until, upon Christina’s death, one of her unscrupulous relative’s shenanigan’s changed those plans. Gay Myrtle never liked her middle name, but it belonged to Grandma, so she’s alwaysbeen proud of that connection. Baby Cynthia Ann was given her grandmother’s name from the other side of the family. I wonder if they appreciate the blessings that were bestowed upon them by their names.

I’ve lived my entire life with a single, unconnected name. Each time I’m asked my middle name, whether for legal usage or other, I sadly say, "No, no middle name."

At times I would question my worth. After all, didn’t my name, or lack of it, prove I had less value? Your name is significant. It identifies who you are.

Then one day I discovered the meaning of my name and all those feelings changed. Marie means “ living fragrance.” I found that my name comes from the root word “myrrh.” Myrrh was an incense used in the worship of God. It was one of the few fragrances presented to baby Jesus by the Wise Men.

Today, I’m proud to be called Marie. I desire to be a living fragrance. Was there ever a name with a lovelier meaning? If we truly get our value from our names, than my worth is great.

The wisest king who ever lived wrote, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches."

Marie Putman is a former Gravette resident and regular contributor to the Westside Eagle Observer.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 01/19/2011