I've posted this backwards, so it would be easier to read. This story is not about me ...though I am a bit backwards at times.

Like I said, "This story is not about me ...it's more about Eddie, but it's about a lot of other things too!"

Names can certainly be confusing! If you read my blog profile, you can see two stories about Eddie ...but one Eddie has a wife named Doreen and a daughter named Mindy. The Eddie you are about to read about has a daughter by a different name, as you soon will see; and the character "I" is married to a Doreen.

And I am not the "I", my name is Stephen, not to be confused with this story's nickname for Eddie. My last name, me being the storyteller, is "Meiner". It is pronounced the same as "minor" or "miner". So I'm no stranger to the name game; and I've been the recipient of many jokes and much teasing. But that is a minor issue! And I certainly hope this doesn't provide major problems for you .....

As I said, "This story is not about me!" This story is about life in general ...and life is certainly not all about me! But since I am the one blogging, I do really need to begin ....so, here goes!

Often parents name children after TV characters. Eddie is one of those parents. Early in life, he and his wife had three children, and they named those three boys: Robbie, Chip, and Ernie. From that point on, he was no longer referred to as Eddie or Ed. They teased him and called him "Fred", from the sitcom "My Three Sons", starring Fred MacMurray. Then they called him "Steve", after the father's character on the show. So, to this day, he is mostly referred to as "Steve" ... but I still try to call him Eddie, though I do slip up once in a while.

Those three sons are now all married, and have wonderful families of their own. Then came the unexpected surprise. Steve, I mean, Eddie and his wife, had a precious little baby girl ...and yes, they named her Dodie.

Dodie is now ten years old. Her obviously proud parents brag about how well she is doing in school, especially Creative Writing. And I am amazed at how Eddie talks to his daughter. He doesn't even talk to me that way ...and I never talk that way.  And she's just a ten year old!

I've heard some college professors talk somewhat like that ...and I wondered how they ever got a job. People don't usually listen unless you talk on their level ...and how can you teach if they don't listen?  I guess, he must think if he talks above her level ...that she will aspire to it, and perhaps exceed even a dad's expectations.