Thursday, November 19, 2009

THANKS GRAMPS

Today, I'm not going to post any photos, but instead I am joining WHAT'S IN A NAME hosted by Sares of Loveleigh Treasures.. When I first read a few of the gal's blogs that are participating, I thought, I can't do this, who cares about why my name is my name.


This morning when I awoke and read more about another and another blogger that is participating in this, I have changed my mind...Now... I am going to speak about my name. While I may not be the most eloquent writer, please know that this does come from my heart...so bare with me here gals.


While I was sitting and reading all these wonderful gals talking about there given names, as I said, I was having self doubt...Well, my Dad (who has passed) and I have this very special bond, even today..whew this is difficult. Anyway, I felt his presence, slapping me and saying "shame on you".


As a child I never much liked my name. Why did my parents name me such an odd name...why couldn't they name me something cute like Susie, Patty, or even my Mom's name Catherine? I think I struggled my entire childhood with my name.

Oddly enough, it wasn't until my Mom passed that I started to get it. For 30 years my Mom passionately studied and documented our family history. She wrote snail mail letters and patiently awaited answers. She and my Dad traveled numerous time all across the United States, so she could traipse through graveyards looking for our ancestors. They would go for hours to courthouses and libraries looking for clues on my family's genealogy.


When she passed as I was going through her affairs, I thought, "what am I going to do with all this "Stuff" that was her research, her life, her passion". Once again my Dad "slapped" me (he had already passed) telling me of course I would continue this in my Mom's honor.


Then came the how,... where,..ME? As I sorted through the piles and piles (like I said everything was snail mail and hand written...little computer usage here gals)of papers, court records, names dates....THERE IT WAS...my answer...I had been named GALE after two of my grandfathers, Kenneth Gale Quade and William Gale Quade...

In all of my pity partying, I realized that I had forgotten that years ago Mom and Dad did tell me I was named after them, but they never made a big deal out if it, as I am sure that they thought I would just carry it proudly...But these are men names...not cut little girl's names....

Both Kenneth Gale and his father William Gale, as I have found, were very strong men, beating all kinds of odds. I won't get into that now, as I tend to get very passionate and carried away with my genealogy...YES, my genealogy in honor of my Mom and my family! And that's what my name means to me...family and the carrying on, proudly of my ancestry.

I know this is long and laborious, so stay with me just a little longer... Through all this genealogy research (a researching of me) I now have a sense of pride for my name (only took about 50 years!!).


My middle name is LEE...named for my Mom's surname and our direct connection to Robert E. Lee! My maiden name is Quade, derived from McQuade. The Mc was dropped with the McQuades came to the United States from Ireland in 1818. They lived amongst the Italian community in New York and there was much discrimination against the Irish in those days, so the Mc was dropped to blend into the community better. Now I know why they're called the "Fighting Irish"!!

My married name is Payne. Here again my genealogy has been quite the blessing. My husband's family never knew anything about his family's history. One day I googled his mother's surname...and what do you know, it took me to places I never dreamed...In short, I now have his family history on both of his parent's side and even traced ,and now documented, back to Revolutionary times....

Where does this get me and what does it all mean to me...



Well, first and foremost, I carried on my Mother's dream, secondly I have now a legacy to pass on to my children and their children, and lastly I am finally proud of each and every name I have GALE LEE QUADE PAYNE.

As for my blog...my daughters came up with this name "Wizard of Once Was" They told me they were always amazed at what I could create, literally out of nothing...hence the name...thank you girls it's been a wonderful journey,.. this blogging world.

Well, there you have it ME...just me. Have a great day and do go over and visit Sares blog as you also my find that you do love your name after all!

SO, THANKS, GRAMPS!





My Very best to you all,
Gale

20 comments:

Anne Lorys said...

Oh, I love your name! Hey, didn't Dorothy Gale spell her name just like yours?
I just read Debra's "What's in a Name" post, this is so interesting to learn more about not only your names, but your families, too.
Hugs,
Anne

WIZARD OF ONCE WAS "WooW" said...

Anne,
Thanks,
This was a more difficult post for me...I like hiding behind all the "fluff" I guess.
Gale

Tara said...

Gale, what a beautiful, heartfelt post! I've always been fascinated by family history and it's quite amazing that we share a connection, of my two Grandfathers, one has the first name William and the other has the middle name Kenneth, my parents combined them to name my brother William Kenneth! Is that strange or what, I think you WERE meant to do this post today, good for your Dad for giving you a nudge!The name of your blog is very creative too, it must make you think of your girls every time you log on to your blog. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us today and I hope your day is loveleigh!

Mollye said...

Hi Gayle, Oh gosh honey girl I have the shivers all over now. This was so heartfelt and beautiful. No more hiding behind anything because you stand out ahead of the crowd. Beautiful name for a beautiful lady. Yep, thanks gramps. Hugs, Mollye

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

What a fabulous post! So much family history in your name!

I have to tell you, your Virgin Mary statute, I have one VERY similiar that I received on my first communion. You can imagine how long ago that was, LOL!

Thank you for stopping by today!

Hugs,
Marsha

Vicki said...

Hi, Gale,
I am so glad you have come to love your name! I think names with a family history are the very best! I am sure your mother and dad are smiling at the love you have for them, your name, and your family's histories! Blessings to you! Vicki

LemonyRenee' said...

What a fabulous story. Thanks, so much, for pushing yourself and sharing.

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Awe Gale,
I know this was hard for you but you did a wonderful job honey! Don't you feel lighter now, knowing you let it off of your chest and told all of your best blog friends? You let us in and now we know a little more about GALE LEE QUADE PAYNE and I just llllooooovvvveee her! tee hee! I'm sure your Mom and Dad are just smiling down on you, so proud that you've carried on where they left off. Awesome post girl...truly awesome!
Now go reward yourself with some Mother-Daughter time and have fun shopping!!! yay!!!
I'm so glad you wrote this for yourself~
everything vintage

Mindy said...

I love this, Gale! Thank you for sharing the discovery of "you" with us. ~Mindy

trash talk said...

I'd like to say thank you to Gramps as well. Not only for being responsible for your name, but for you! That's some mighty fine genes to produce such a "wonder of is" as you!
Debbie

June said...

I love it, love it love it, Gale!!! I'm into family history as well and am getting more passinate about it. I just don't know what I'm doing. But I've been known to visit cemetaries as well and I get a real kick out of it! I love knowing where I come from and what sacrifices were made by those before me.
My husband's name is Dale, and his twin sister is Gale. And some of my closest friend's are Paynes. (not in that way!)lol
This was so fun...reading your post! Your girls are genius. I love the name of your blog!
Hugs,
June

C. JoyBell C. said...

hahahahahahha! Before I read any further...I just have to LAUGH!!!! Because here I am, getting all sentimental while you say "I still feel his presence here...." And then I get all sentimental and I read the rest and it says "he's slapping me over the face saying 'shame on you'!" hahahahahah! oh my goodness gracious! too funny!!!!!!

C. JoyBell C. said...

Ok, read everything already...

You would be surprised! If you grew up here (Philippines) you would have had a lot of little girls named Gale to play with! "Gale" is a cute girls' name over here!!!! :)

C. JoyBell C. said...

p.s. you are a very funny writer! heheheehhe! :)

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hey, Miss Gale, I'm so glad you "sucked it up" and did this fabulous post! When we talked earlier about your passion for geneology I had no idea HOW passionate. It's wonderful to know family history. It gives us such a connection to the past, and then we can pass it on to our children. I have adored your blog name since I read your first post. MRS. WIZARD...I love it!
Debra

Claudia said...

I am so late in reading your post, I apologize! I love your story - and I'm so glad you shared it with us. How wonderful to discover the story behind your name, the history of your family and to now love researching geneology! What a journey you have been on!

And I love the name of your blog!

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi: As I read your post it felt like I have just meet a very special lady. How wonderful for you to honor your parents in such a tangible way. Wow, what a blessing! Martha

BellaRosa said...

What a beautiful post! made me think of my name and how it wasn't till I was an adult..did I "grow"into my name and actually feel I could own it :) Sometimes a name is a huge burden for a child, but then we grow up and realize what an honor our names actually are...well except for my daughter..she is still mad at me for naming her Ashley, in her words...a very common name...but totally uncommon for a lil mexican/italian girl :) Rose

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Hi Gale,
I loved this post! All of your names are beautiful and meaningful. You are not alone in taking some time to grow into your name!
:) Laura

Six divided by two..... said...

Hello Ms. Gale!!! I love the post. I too did a Name post. I thought it was obvious what my name meant- guess not. Thank you for sharing- truly divine. I love your blog and I am now a follower.