The one thing that defines us is our name. The name that our parents could have pondered and thought about before deciding on that one name. Some parents want to wait to see what name “fits: the child. Others saw a movie that had a character that had a great name. Usually, there is a lot of time and thought put into deciding that perfect name. But sometimes a name or even nickname is born from a moment or event from the heart
For me, it pretty much came from birth. I weighed 10lbs 7ounces when I was born. My dad wanted a nickname for me. But instead of a name reflecting my actual size, he decided on Dink (the opposite of big), He said I looked like a pooh bear. So, my nickname was Dinky Pooh. Over the years it was shortened to Dink. Every now and then when my dad is trying to be funny he will say Dinky Pooh Pooh. I cherished this name. Especially when my dad said it. It was like him calling him his princess. That special name said from the first man a girl loves.
The name began to spread outside of my immediate family. Many aunts and cousins would call me Dink. I love my nickname. It’s kind of like it is a secret agent name. Only the “inside agents” know the name. Only the elite and special people know it and use it. As time has evolved the name has become more special.
When my first niece turned one I was trying to get her to say “Aunt Dana”, my dad said “No, Aunt Dink” I got a lump in my throat and said, “yep Aunt Dink” and a new version of a special name was created. About a decade ago I became a great aunt. All my great nieces and nephew call me Aunt Dink. When my monkie was born I wanted to be called Mimi Dink but Bethanie did not like it. So, it’s just Mimi
When I turned 18 my dad told me he would stop calling me Dink when I stopped calling him Daddy. To me, Daddy has a more sentimental sound than Dad or Father. So, to this day I continue to call him daddy and he calls me Dink. It’s funny sometimes when I call him without thinking he will say “What’s up Dana” and I will then say, “Hello Father” He will realize he does not want to be called Father so he will then say Dink.
I do love my official name, Dana Michelle. But the name that tugs at my heart will always be Dink. I can image rocking in my rocking chair and hearing my family still call me Dink and remember the person that gave me that name.
