If you know anything about me you know I am a grandfather now. If you don’t know anything about me, well now you do! I went through all the usual machinations about “what do I want to be called”. Can I be Grandpa when the other grandpa is Grandpa. Why not? I had a Grandpa Nat and a Grandpa Howard. I always knew who I was talking about. Didn’t know Grandpa Howard for long. He passed away when I was 3 or 4. Grandpa Nat was actually my step-grandpa on my dad’s side but he was the only grandfather that was really part of my life.
At one point I was going with Grumpa, because, as you know, I can be a bit grumpy. But that would sound like the kid had a speech impediment. So then why not just Grandpa Rik? I don’t know, just didn’t happen. I became Pop. Mostly because I can use a sound as my name. I’ll teach the little tyke to make a (you guessed it) popping sound instead of saying my name.
I had a Pop, not the bubbly kind but the grandfather kind. I didn’t know him. I may have met him at some point but I have no recollection. I have seen a picture or two during my lifetime. That isn’t why I decided to be Pop (that’s explained above). But there is another reason. I was listening to an audio book and the main character was Pop to his grandkids. I liked the way the narrator (who happened to be the author and main character) used the word. It sounded loving and wholesome and cool. And since I admire this character and really wished he had run for president I am taking his lead.
So there you have it. A short history on me being Pop. So to paraphrase “put you lips together and pop”!
The Word By Namdoog Kir 