It's all in the name
Names are an important way to identify ourselves. Without them we'd all be "Hey, you" or "Who's-it."
A person's last name identifies the family clan from which he/she or a spouse hails.
My family's last name is Reznicek. There are so many of us related to that clan that I don't know everyone but do recognize the last names that are forever linked by marriage.
There's a saying in Marion County that goes something like, "Be careful who you talk about, and to whom, because everyone's related."
In some circles, conversations begin with "Are you related to 'so and so'?" If the answer is no, the conversation continues. If the answer is yes, the conversation may change.
With the Reznicek group it rings true. My father, Cyril, came from a family of 12. Some of his siblings had large families who had several children who had several children. I'm sure I have more than a 100 first cousins in addition to second cousins once removed and so on.
Anyway, last names identify family origin and married names indicate a newcomer has entered that family.
Such is the case for me.
Some remember me as Susan Reznicek, most have come to know me as Susan Cooper.
It will take some time for people to know me by my new name when I call for an interview and on the bylines of my stories, and not think Hoch Publishing has hired a new reporter to cover my beat.
So, for a while, I'll keep the Cooper part of my name, just as a reminder.
On a personal note, what it really means to me is that I have the honor of carrying the last name of the family who has graciously accepted and welcomed me, and that means more to me than anything.
— SUSAN BERG
