What’s in a name you might ask.
I’d say identification, reputation, recognition. Character.
There are Biblical names like Abraham, Issac, Ruth and Esther. And names of Kings and Presidents; William, Henry, Theodore, Dwight. There’s Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll. And the Beatles John, Paul, Ringo and George. When we hear those names in regard to their person we form an image of who they were (are), and what they represent.
Since today, September 4 would be my brother’s 70th birthday I started my morning thinking of him, as I know our Dad did, and perhaps other friends and family members. Walt was named for our Mother’s beloved grandfather, Walt Thorson. Mom adored her grandfather. She was raised by him and her grandmother, Blanche. From our earliest age, Walt my brother and I heard wonderful, loving stories about Walt, our great-grandfather.
He was of Norwegian decent, born and raised in South Dakota. On his family’s farm in Vermilion. Mama said while Walt Thorson never wanted to be a farmer, but to find his place in the city, he and Grandma Blanche, and Mom would make the drive every year from their home in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Vermillion to help with the harvest. Walt Thorson was a convert to the Catholic faith. He served as usher at their parish church, and was an active member in Knights of Columbus. He started his career as a salesman for Harding Ice Cream, later to become Sealtest, and earned awards for being the company’s top salesman year after year. Maybe that’s one reason whenever Mom wasn’t feeling well he’d tell her ice cream would make it better. Something my Mother believed all her life!
An endearing ritual Mother and Walt Thorson shared every night before bedtime was their having a glass of milk and eating crackers together. A ritual my brother Walt Cooney and our Mom also shared. In thinking about the two Walt’s I try to imagine what kind of relationship they would have had. From the things Mom told us about Walt Thorson, of the twinkle in his blue eyes when greeting someone, his encouraging word to others, his kindness and good humor are all things I saw in my brother Walt. And I think they may have had some other similarities. Both wore clothes well, and dressed stylishly. Both enjoyed playing cards and games. And for a time my brother Walt was active with Knights of Columbus, like his great grandfather. Mother gifted Walt her son with the Knights of Columbus ring and cuff links that once belonged to Walt, her grandfather. And very sadly, both passed away in their mid 50’s of a massive heart attack. Both leaving behind a huge void in the lives of those who loved them.
My brother always knew he was named for his great grandfather, and I believe took pride in that, feeling a certain kinship with him; Knowing he was named for someone so beloved and special to our Mother.
Though I do remember when Walt Cooney was about five years old and hero worshipped the iconic TV cowboy, Roy Rogers. When any new acquaintance would ask his name, Walt would tell them Roy. Roy Rogers. But that’s a name for a different time, and a different story.
***Happy (Heavenly) Birthday, my dear brother.
