To some, I’m “Papa.” To others, I am “Papa Marc.” I didn’t choose either name, but I’ve grown to love both. These titles reflect the additional loving influences in my grandchildren’s lives. The “Marc” after “Papa” helps distinguish me from their paternal grandfather, who is also known as “Papa.” Meanwhile, the shortened “Papa” stands alone for my other daughter’s children; their other grandfather is “Grandpa Chief,” a retired NYPD department chief.
The origin of grandparent names can be fascinating. Some are passed down through family tradition, adults choose others, and the most endearing ones come from a child’s innocent mispronunciation. On my wife’s side of the family, “Grammy” was the traditional name until one grandchild preferred the sound of “Gaga,” and a new name was born. My wife Carol is affectionately called “Tutu” by our five grandchildren, which means grandmother in Hawaiian. Although she has no Hawaiian heritage, she fell in love with the name after watching the 2011 George Clooney movie The Descendants and decided to adopt it.
My own immigrant grandmother was fond of our heritage but refused to be labeled with a name that sounded too old. She rejected the traditional German “Oma” (grandmother) and instead insisted we call her “Mutti” (mommy). My favorite grandparent name in our family goes to my brother-in-law, whose grumpy moments earned him the endearing title of “Grumpa” when his grandchild couldn’t quite pronounce “Grandpa.”
If you’re a grandparent, I’m sure you’ll resonate with Proverbs 17:6a: “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged.” Whatever name you’re known by, we invite you to bring your crown jewels—your grandkids—to worship on Grandparents Day. This year, on Sunday, September 8, at 9:30 AM, our school-aged children invite their grandparents to join them in making special crafts. During the service, grandparents will receive a special blessing, and both grandparents and children will participate in a blessing of the backpacks for the new school year. Join us at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 36 E. John Street, Lindenhurst.
Blessings,
Pastor Marc
