…is the birthday of someone I adore, and I’m unable to get in touch with him which is MADDENING. I was fifteen the day he was born. Everyone was at the hospital but my father and me, and they made me go to my piano lesson, so I didn’t get there before he made his big entrance (and I DO mean big, at nine pounds and nine ounces).
In those days, no one knew the sex of a baby until it was actually delivered. We spent almost nine months calling it “Goose,” but once he arrived and got his real name, I never called him anything but Daniel because I thought the name was as beautiful and perfect as he was.
Many years later, when a certain tandem story came my way and I had to name its narrator, I chose the name of this absolutely wonderful child who–even though he usurped my position as family baby when he became the first grandchild of my parents–is someone I will love unconditionally until I take my last breath on this planet–and beyond.
Happy birthday, Daniel. Your kids are now older than you were when this photo was taken! Which is so weird, because I’m only thirty-five.
(Note that I’m holding a movie camera. I never change.)
Happy birthday to Daniel. I hope you can get in touch with him, soon. : )
I’m interested in your naming a character after someone in your life. Are you uncomfortable, doing it? Are they uncomfortable, reading it? How does it work out?
Since the characters are nothing like the people from my life whose names we’ve used, I’m not at all uncomfortable with it. So far, nobody’s complained.
Then again, in most cases, they don’t read our books so they probably don’t even know.
So far, I have had had three requests from friends to have me write a story where one of the characters has their name. Amazingly, they want the character to be a bad guy. Go figure. The problem is they all have very strong personalities. and it’s hard to separate the name from the person. But if I ever write anything where a guy becomes pregnant; his name will be G. Mark Hasselhoff.
Let’s hear it for Becky’s older Daniel BTW I have two brothers, one 3-years younger than me and one 10-years younger. I have always referred to the older of the two as my older brother. That way I get to cut six years off of total. Big problem I have a nephew fast approaching 35.
The anonymous messages are mine. LJ just told me they couldn’t find my username again, so I had to open a new window and log in again.
That’s such an evocative photograph – of the times, as well as exuding happiness. It’s funny how those old photos have an orange tinge about them – it must have been the chemical processes they used, I suppose? It looks like it was taken in the seventies..?
Well, ONLY hypothetically speaking, of course, if I were older than thirty-five, it’d definitely be from the seventies. Though bell bottoms did come back into style, that funny tint to the pictures is definitely a thing of the past. 😉
I am wondering where this Daniel lives. Mostly because if he lives in my area I would be happy to try to contact him for you. You have my email.
What magic do you use that inspires people to comment on your entries?
Damn, it is probably just that you are such a good writer.
It’s okay. I know exactly where he is, I just was unable to get in touch with him on his birthday. Thanks for offering!
I love Daniel. Well, the character for sure. I hope you talk to him soon.
The photo is really cool. I love your top. I wear stuff like that now with flip flops.
Happy birthday to Daniel.
happy day to daniel!
I just sang you a song.
Mmm, it is frustrating when you can’t get in touch with someone on their special day, but maybe he knows you’re thinking of him.
Hello to young Becky!