My Last Name

"This novella might be the most psychologically honest, narratively engaging, and spiritually beautiful thing I have read this year. The words from these pages haunted me long after I read them, and moved me to gratitude, wonder, and even joy. The word that comes to mind as I read this story is 'life.' Read it and see: what it kindles in you will enliven you." - Russell Moore"...a poignant reflection on life and dignity. In a single day of an elderly narrator, her life unfolds as she remembers key moments from her past with sharp clarity, even though she's restrained by the unreliable physical trappings of old age. In crafting a story that slides effortlessly between the past and the present with subtle symbolism and careful juxtaposition, Schumacher demonstrates the value of each moment of our lives, and the inherent worth of every person who enters-and exits-our individual narratives." - K. B. Hoyle "...a tender, sensitive, and quietly lyrical portrait, infused with a bright, longing ache. This exploration of the expansive interior life of an elderly character near death, reminds us that we are all living in the middle of stories--stories that are going somewhere. His readers are likely to feel some gentle tug of the eternal vicariously drawing their own hearts along." - Douglas Kaine McKelvey"I have probably written more than a hundred endorsements over the years. But I've never felt as inadequate as I do right now in trying to explain how important this writing is or how moved I was in reading it. ...a beautiful story, written by a poet who has thought deeply about aging and loss and redemption." - Elyse Fitzpatrick"Eric Schumacher invites readers into an assisted living unit and introduces us to Lottie, who is drifting slowly between periods of cognitive decline and moments of clarity in the last movement of her long life. Lottie's past and present unfold in this remarkable novella with unflinching dignity. The grace of Schumacher's spare and shimmering writing make 'My Last Name' a story readers won't soon forget." - Michelle Van Loon

When my Husband and I became Grandparents, we were surprised at the uncontrollable and endless flow of love and affection we felt for our Grandchildren. It was a feeling that seemed to equal, or surpass the feelings we had for our children when they were growing up (sorry kids). But we soon found that while the love seemed to be as equal, expressing it was different. My maternal Grandmother displayed that same kind of endless flow of love for her grand kids. I knew her as Granny, and I believe she was the litmus test, the gold standard for all Grandmothers. She showered all of her grand kids with unconditional love, and made each of us feel as if we were the most important person in the world. I knew Granny as Granny, and I am sure that I didn't learn her last name until I was much older. To me her name could have been Granny, No Middle Initial, Granny, because to us it was about the way she made us feel, and how we felt about her, and the name Granny was all we needed to know. My grand kids call me Grandma, and for the longest time, that was my first and last name to them, and I didn't mind at all.

A spunky "quotumentary," or compilation of hilarious, meaningful, and true, context-free quotations from two thinkers of the new generation. Topics include transportation, gender, mass media, animals, the imagination, relationships, opinions, aggression. As helpful on the bed-side table as in the philosophy dissertation.

New York Times best seller Ever since Gabrielle Stanley Blair became a parent, she’s believed that a thoughtfully designed home is one of the greatest gifts we can give our families, and that the objects and decor we choose to surround ourselves with tell our family’s story. In this, her first book, Blair offers a room-by-room guide to keeping things sane, organized, creative, and stylish. She provides advice on getting the most out of even the smallest spaces; simple fixes that make it easy for little ones to help out around the house; ingenious storage solutions for the never-ending stream of kid stuff; rainy-day DIY projects; and much, much more.

This book brings a new understanding of the truth that you are called by God's Name, that you truly are a child of the King of all Kings, and that you really can be all that God has called you to be. Your value, rights and position in God's incredible family make it so!

A Guide on How to Pick a Married Last Name Getting married? The number of decisions you have to make for the wedding, let alone decisions that will impact the rest of your life, can feel overwhelming. Taking on a life-long partner may also mean a new, life-long name. Changing the name, you've had since birth, is a big decision. Whether in same-sex or heterosexual nuptials, names play an important role and can impact children, career, identity, and ultimately, your happiness. "Should I Change my Name?" walks you through how to choose a last name that's right for you and your future spouse. Author Marcia Morgan examines the six most common married name options including separate, merged, linked, and newly-created names, and reveals the benefits and challenges of each. She weaves in personal stories from men and women who embraced their married name choices and those who had regrets. The firsthand accounts illuminate how gender roles, religion, or family of origin can deeply influence name preferences for you and your spouse-to-be. Morgan shines a light on the intriguing history of how married names were based on oppressive laws and reveals the meaning behind today's naming traditions. She takes you on a journey around the globe to look at naming practices in other countries and cultures. The book simplifies an otherwise overwhelming decision process so you and your partner can say a hearty "I Do" to the married name you choose. Best-selling author Marcia K. Morgan, Ph.D., brings a wealth of experience from over 40 years as a sociologist, researcher, trainer, and national expert on gender issues. Marcia and her husband live in Bend, Oregon.

Just Give Me Your Last Name is a book that was born out of the life of a frustrated single waiting endlessly for love. This book takes you through my journey of finding true love in singleness and becoming whole in that process. The aim of this book is to give you a different perspective to single life and to help you embrace your single journey as you hope to embrace the marriage journey. The book is about finding the silver lining in the seemingly cloud of single life and letting that lining trump the cloud until the gloss of your single life is evident to the world. My hope is that as you read this book, you will prioritize finding and giving love as a single person instead of waiting for love to find you. This book will move you to the front seat of your single life, have you switch to cruise mode, and soar the length and breadth of singleness in confidence. This book will make you laugh, get you thinking, and ultimately, move you to action that will birth the change you always hoped for.

Containing entries for more than 45,000 English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Cornish, and immigrant surnames, The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland is the ultimate reference work on family names of the UK. The Dictionary includes every surname that currently has more than 100 bearers. Each entry contains lists of variant spellings of the name, an explanation of its origins (including the etymology), lists of early bearers showing evidence for formation and continuity from the date of formation down to the 19th century, geographical distribution, and, where relevant, genealogical and bibliographical notes, making this a fully comprehensive work on family names. This authoritative guide also includes an introductory essay explaining the historical background, formation, and typology of surnames and a guide to surnames research and family history research. Additional material also includes a list of published and unpublished lists of surnames from the Middle Ages to the present day.