What's in a name

Juliet:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

Last Friday I spent the day with my frat brother Rich.

I had not seen him since graduation some 43 years ago.

Not that we ran in the same circles during our post collegiate days.

After leaving TSC, Rich went on to a very impressive singing career, performing literally around the world on all of the great stages.

My singing career was limited to the shower and behind the wheel when I was alone in my car.

I would also have had a hard time finding him, as he took on a stage name somewhere along the way.

I have another fraternity brother who also changed his name,mostly for performance, a number of years ago.

They both go by there cosen,not given names.

Kiddingly I mentioned that maybe it was high time for me to get a stage name.

Upon reflection, that is something I just can't fathom.

My name may be the only thing that I have and that no one can take away from me.

Let me be upfront and say this has nothing to do with their choices.

It's all about me.

When my dad died,my eulogy spoke to this.

Arnie Spiegel.....the on thing that no one could take away,his good name.

I am sure that I will hear from my Rabbi on this as I seem to remember something from Pirke Avot or the Talmud or somewhere in Jewish literature a very poignant passage on this subject.

I am David Spiegel.

Often that is shortened to Dave,however in my mind I am David.

When I meet someone , I introduce myself as Dave Spiegel.

On the phone, it's the same thing.

Dave or David, to me interchangeable.

The on thing that remains constant is the Spiegel part.

Spiegel......in German mirror.

Mirrors are for reflecting.

There is after all that famous quote by Edith Wharton:

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

What's in a name?

Just about everything!