Grandma takes offense at name change

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Updated: February 21, 2012 8:12AM

Dr. Wallace: I’m 17 and will graduate from high school in June. My given name is Tillie Juanita, and all of my family, friends and even teachers call me “T.J.,” because I despise the names Tillie and Juanita. The day after my 18th birthday, I’m going to legally change my given names to Tiffany Jennifer. (I can still be T.J.)

As a young child, I suffered when my classmates called me “Silly Tillie.” I wanted to be called T.J. when I started junior high. I was named after my mother’s mother (Tillie) and my father’s mother (Juanita). My parents and my grandmother Juanita are all in favor of changing my name, but Grandma Tillie is protesting. To complicate things, Grandma Tillie lives with our family. What is the best way to appease her? I have to be tender with her because she is a wonderful and beautiful lady, and I love her very, very much.

T.J., St. Paul, Minn.

T.J.: When Grandmother Tillie reads your letter in the newspaper, she will be thrilled that you have told the world that she is a wonderful and beautiful lady and that you love her very, very much. She will also realize that the name Tillie is just that — a name. Then tell her that when she calls you T.J., for her, the “T” stands for Tillie.

Write to Dr. Wallace
at rwallace@galesburg.net