Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Imposter for 31 Years

Everyone has a First and Last name besides McLovin of course. A last name is pasted down by your fathers side while your first name is constantly changing throughout the first 9 months of your life. My Mom and Dad had the challenge of naming two daughters instead of just one. At one point Shaila and Sharee might have been Layla and Mele. I am just thankful my name might have been Mele and not an Eric Clapton song...Layla...that would have been Shaila. A name can have a lot of meaning within a family.





My sister Corring and my Grandpa have been researching our genealogy. Genealogy is historical documentation about your family. Document and records created throughout the many years. My sister and Grandpa have been very successful with researching our family history which dates back to Hawaiian Royalty. I always new I was a princess. There research (I think) dates back to around 1882. That is very impressive and I am thankful that I have a sister who has a passion to learn about our heritage and keep our family unit close.

A persons name is one of the first documents made about a person so you understand the significant in a First, Middle and Last name. I had the privilege of receiving my middle name from my Grandma Lei's grandmother on her mothers side. I was unable to say or spell my middle name until second grade. I have always felt special caring a name from my Hawaiian side of the family.





My sister Corring texted me late Monday night while I was at study group to call her as soon as possible. I called her as soon as I received my text not knowing if it was going to be a serious conversation or if one of her kids were playing with their poo again and wanted to share this precious experience with me. She said "Sharee.... your middle name is spelled wrong".... followed by a tease of laughter. She was visiting our Grandfather and came across paper work with my great great grandmothers middle name. She thought isn't that spelled wrong.... or actually Sharee's name is spelled wrong.

We have to consider the source here.... My mom who has been depressed for 9 months about having not one but two (big) baby girls, my Grandma Lei who still calls me Emmalani, Corring, Shaila and then Sharee and my dad who gasped when they mentioned baby two was on her way. But between the three of them you would have thought an accurate spelling of my name would have been a priority. Although my middle name is only missing an O it means I have been an impostor for 31 years. This means middle name is 1:pronounced different 2:instead of 22 letters its 23 letters 3: IT IS DIFFERENT.

I have been practicing how to pronounce my name the past 24 hours and searching Google on how to change your name. It seems like a long process that costs money. At first I did freak out a little but it could have been worse... Corring could have told me one of her kids were playin with poop. Just saying.

Signed Pre March 23, 2010
Sharee Keahipelekapukamoha'lii

Signed Post March 23, 2010
Sharee Keahipelekapukamohoali'i

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