The family reunion is coming up… the Shady reunion. Shady is my step father’s last name, and although it’s a nice name, it’s not the most flattering name in the world. I mean who wants to be a shady person?

When we were planning the reunion months ago one of my aunts suggested that we all make ceramic plates and make one of the requirements that it needed to have the name Shady written on it somewhere. I protested, after all Shady isn’t my last name, why should I have to write it across my plate?

As it turned out a vast majority of the people going to the reunion did not actually possess the name Shady. In fact I estimate that only ten people still have the name. My step father is one of seven, two boys and five girls, so it is easy to see how the name lost its impact.

However, I do find it funny that I am often asked if I am going to change my name to Shady. The answer is no, and for a very good reason; I already have a last name, and I don’t intend to change it. My hesitation to change my last name has nothing to do with the fact that Paul is my step father, and everything to do with my own preservation.