When I was a kid I desperately wanted my name to be Debbie….or Susan….or Barbara. Like all the other girls.
What were my parents thinking??? Darryle? I hated it. Hated that it was so different. Hated that no one could spell it. Hated most of all that it was a boy’s name.
My mother had tacked an “e” at the end as if that would resolve all the gender issues. But it never worked. I always found myself explaining and patiently spelling it out. I got a draft notice from the U.S. Army; got letters addressed to “Mr. Pollack”; the only other Darryles I knew of were professional athletes. Don’t even get me started on “my brother Daryl and my other brother Daryl.”
Everything changed when a tall beautiful blonde starred in the movie Splash. Madison the mermaid was magical for everyone; and especially for me. Now, whenever people questioned my name like they always did, I had the answer: “Darryle. Like Daryl Hannah.”
Thank goodness for Daryl Hannah. She changed my whole relationship with my name—helping me accept it, explain it… and even like it a little.
I told her all that last night when I saw her at Paramount Studios—- at the Environmental Media Awards, in Los Angeles, (which I attended with my friend Myra Goodman, whose Earthbound Farm is one of the sponsors.) Daryl couldn’t have been more gracious….or more gorgeous.
TWO gorgeous, gracious Darryl(e)s. Who knew it could be possible!
I knew from the moment I met you that we’d buy a mosaic from you, and that my wife would love it, and consider you a dear friend. She forwards all your blog writings to me whenever she gets them. You are a great pleasure for her to read and associate (to,with?).
Regards,
David
Darryle,
I knew from the moment I met you that we would buy a mosaic from you; and, that my wife would love it, and love to be associated with you as a friend. She forwards all your blogs to me after she’s devoured them, and it’s her favorite time of the day when she does read them.
Keep up the good work. Perhaps we’ll meet again in Carmel the next time we are there.
Regards,
David Merrill
Sweet! Love it!
Thank u! It was wonderful meeting Daryl—as I left, she called back to me “Bye, Darryle.” I think it was just as much fun for her to be able to meet a female namesake.
David: thank you so much for your comment and your words. I love knowing one of my mosaics is hanging in your living room, and hope to see you both again someday when you’re in Carmel.
GREAT photo! Nice story, too! Names that are different are wonderful!! My name is WAY too common and pretty much, out-of-date, by now!! “Darryle” is timeless!!
Thank u. Think this proves the grass is always greener….we all want what we don’t have….yadda yadda yadda….but what’s in a name, anyway?
Ah, but one’s good name is the most valuable treasure of all!
Don’t know how I missed this post. I always hated Susan — boring, boring, boring. My mother gave me the middle name Denice — spelled with a “c” because she thought “Denise” looked like a boy’s name. I have an uncle who is just six years older than I, and he took great delight in calling my brother and me “Susan da Niece” and “Eddie da Nephew.”