Personal Culture Paper

   

Katie Wise

WIFYS

Dr. Shannon Mortimore-Smith

September  21, 2017

                Beautiful In the Heart

Basically, how did I become Katie? My story is my story and it means the world to me. Your name is special whether you think it is or not .Your name doesn't have to be special to anyone but yourself. I always thought my name was just Katie, with only meaning to myself.  Then I asked my Mom if my name had any relevance to our family. It is amazing what you can find out about yourself if you just ask a question. My name means a lot of things to me. My name makes me feel one of a kind. When I hear my name I think of a summer Sunday morning.

   My name to me really just meant how unique I am compared to all of the other Katie's out in this humongous world. I am different. I am someone who will give you a place to stay in a time of need. I am someone who will run that extra mile to achieve my goals. Playing softball has taught me to work hard to achieve my goals and to stay humble. I am that person who will give you another chance when you have ruined the first three. Being these things has always made me feel well about my name and in life. In life having my name always meant that I am unique because of the way I act in my life and what I make people think of my name.When people hear my name I want them to think of these things. I am a unique individual. There are many ways how I am different.

    Does there have to be any meaning behind my name? No, there does not have to be any meaning behind my name. Why you may ask? You can have a name and not have any reason as to why that is your name. You’re name is unique because you make it unique. Everyone has a story with their name. When someone thinks of your name, they will most likely think of a story that they associate with your name.

    My name is Katie. I am unique. I am someone who will run to the end for my family. I have a unique story behind my name. I never knew this until I asked my mom one day. One day I met a girl at school on the first day of my senior year. She was new. I approached her and told her my name. When I said my name she proceeded to tell me that she knew a few Katie’s where she was from and that she was wasn’t a fan of any of them. She asked me if all Katie’s where this certain way. So, there are negative assumptions for Katie’s. This hurt because I felt like the way I lived my life, and how I lived my life for others. I live everyday to make someone else’s day better. This is where I told the new girl my story about how I received my name. I told her that this story means the world to me. I assured her that I wasn’t like those other girls that she knew. My story is my story.

    Here’s my story. When I was around five months in my Mother’s stomach, my Grandfather wanted to name “Katie Lynn Wise”.He then told my Mother why he wanted to name me “Katie Lynn Wise”. He said that the name “Katie” was beautiful. It meant being someone’s shoulder to cry on or, “being beautiful in the heart”. You can have a kind heart but being beautiful in the heart means more. My Grandfather told my Mother that he knew that I would turn into an amazing and beautiful hearted young woman and lead an amazing life. After my Grandfather named me, my family received the worst news possible.  At this time he got diagnosed with lung cancer. It was very severe and my grandfather really didn't really know if he would see his granddaughter grow up and live life. My grandfather looked at my pictures of me in my mother's stomach and would say, "There's Katie Lynn". The name just stuck. I was born in May. My grandfather unfortunately passed away the next month. He only had the chance to see me for one month but I think that meant the world to him. I know that he's looking down on me saying,"Good job Katie Lynn". This I would like to believe makes me who I am today. Without my grandfather naming me I would not be Katie today. I thank my Grandfather for naming me because I beat the stereotypes behind my name. I now have two identities. I have Katie and Katie Lynn. Having these two identities is cool really. To my friends I am just Katie. To my family I am Katie Lynn. Being Katie I feel known by my friends and how I have created this identity with them.

    I am more than what my name says I am. Ask yourself this, what do I think people think of when they hear my name? If you have a story love it. If not, make one. Be beautiful in the heart. When people hear your name you want that to be a good thing. When they think of your name they will assume the negative maybe. But,  if you live a good life and be happy they will understand you’re different. The moments you make with these people they will have a story about a better version of the assumptions they thought of. Make name for yourself and enjoy life. You are here for reason. My story is one I am proud of. One that I am proud to tell. With my name I will always try my best at being “beautiful in the heart”.