William Shakespeare said, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”.  Isn’t that the truth?  But in the play Romeo and Juliet, I’m told that Shakespeare was referring to Juliet’s argument that it doesn’t matter that Romeo’s surname is ‘Montague’ from her family’s rival’s ‘house of Montague’.    It made me think about my name – or, my ‘names’.  I was born Dawn Ellen Bean, but have been known by variations of that name, or completely different names according to my relationship with others.

To my maternal aunts and uncles, I was only called ‘Dawn Ellen’.  When I grew up and moved away from home and wanted to give them a call to see how they were doing, I had to say, “Hello, this is Dawn Ellen”.  If I just announced myself as ‘Dawn’, they would say, “Who?  Who is this?”  When I started teaching, I was called ‘Miss Bean’ – and after my marriage, it went from that to ‘Mrs. Mattera’.  I was also known as ‘Freda and Lewis’s girl’ – or, “You know.  ‘Danny Bean’s sister’”.  Or, ‘Diane’s sister’.

I have loved beyond measure the name, ‘Mama’ or now, ‘Mum’ to my three amazing and loving sons.  To one of my nephew’s, I am ‘Aunt’ (New England accent, if you please!)  – and to other nephews and nieces, ‘Auntie’ (pronounced Ant-ie).  To others in the family, ‘Cuz’ – and to a sweet cousin, ‘my darlin’ Dawn’.   When I volunteered at a Rescue Mission, some of the homeless ones called me ‘my angel’.   (Truth be known, not all the names I have been called have been as endearing!)   My precious grandbabies call me ‘Mammie’ – music to my ears!  And in my beloved Romania, I am called ‘Doamna’ (a term of respect for married ladies), and by my orphans, ‘Mama Dawn’ – a sound of pure love!  Still by others, ‘that lady from America’.

But I think my favorite name of all is ‘a Child of the King’!  John 1.12 and Galatians 3.26 refer to us as the ‘children of God’.  Romans 8.17a says that “since we are His children, we are His heirs”.  So as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am a child of the King!  Being female, I guess that would make me a ‘princess’??  Hmm-mm-m . . .   I like that.  I’m a princess.  ‘Princess Dawn’!  It has a nice ring to it!  :))  No matter our name, it ‘smells’ the same – or, is the same because of who we are on the inside.  We are that same person to all who know and love us.  And not only that, but hopefully a true reflection of the King, Himself – Jesus.