As many of you know, in February, my first grandchild was born. Obviously, this little boy was a big deal for me since I’m soon to be 75-years-old. However, I didn’t realize what a chore it was to choose my new moniker. His other grandmothers had chosen Mimi and Gidda. Cute, but not my style. Yaya? GG? Gma, Grandma? Oma, Sue Sue?

“Mom, you have to pick a name. Maybe Brady should call you….” An endless list of absurd, funny, and rude names followed. I wanted a unique name–a name that would connect our family.

Last week I found just the right name. My mother, sister, nieces, two daughters, and I all joined sororities in college. Though most of us belonged to different ones, my eldest and her cousin were Kappa Kappa Gammas, my youngest was a Gamma Phi Beta. Gamma, the third letter of the Greek alphabet. In English it was referred to the letter “G.” In Greek it is drawn like a hangman game’s hanging post. From now on, I’d be known as Gamma or Gam!

But of course, I took my new name one step further and had the Greek letter tattooed on my bicep. Now, I visually display to the world my new identity! I think I’m going to love my new Gam gig!

(PS Dr. Suze Espouses will be on vacation and will be back June 25th with more random musings.)