In mourning

 

I'm half British. It is a purposeful decision of honor, not a cute decision, to be known on LinkedIn with my middle name, after Queen Elizabeth II.

A name can be a funny thing. As child, because Heather rhymes easily, I went through sing-song teasing. For many years, I didn't really notice much about my name, other than relief that it's somewhat easy for Americans to pronounce. Internationally, I know it's difficult to guess the pronunciation (the 'h's and 'r's change), but I always happy to help, encouraging the breathy-ness of "Heather" and the z spelling for "Elizabeth", and I desired help in return in pronouncing others' names.

But lately, I feel the "time" of my name; "Heather" ties me to a time and now, "Elizabeth" to an Era.

Personally, I'll be conducting minimal LinkedIn business in order to mourn. As a reminder, death is wrong. Our world was not created to work this way. I constantly pull my strength from my creator and loving God.