How it come about all my girls are named with a K.
People ask my why my daughter's names all start with a K.
I named them Karen, Kathleen, Kaye, and Kristine because my maiden name was KRESGE.
I am an ancestor of S. S. KRESGE, THE 5 & 10 CENT STORE founder of KRESGE'S STORES in past history. I am proud to be a long lost relative of him. I met him when I was 13 and shook his hand at the Kresge Reunion in Stroudsburg Pa. What an exciting thing to happen to me in my youth.
K-MART STORES bought out KRESGE'S STORES, thus the now named K-MART, in case you'd want to know.
I did have a few problems in school in record keeping each year with the office of the schools they attended, since all were K's. Their teachers throughout their 12 years of schooling had a hard time too, in keeping them separate. They were in a lot of school activities.
In labor with Kathleen, my nurses helped me so much they thought I just had to hame the baby Barbara Louise,. That was their names. I can still remember them after all these years. I said, NO, I would be naming her Kathleen, which I did.
Early next morning, before she reported to duty, Barbara came rushing to my room asking if I named the baby Barbara Louise? I told her it was Kathleen Ann, and she was so disappointed. I still fell bad over that situation after 43 years.
They are all grown up now and always have been the joy in my life.
Karen has been an RN for years now at a local hospital.
She works in the preparation room for the operations. She takes me quite often on vacations for weekends etc, if not for her i'd probably get nowhere. Keeps the depression away.
Kathy works in the shool cafeteria preparing the kids' lunches and taking the money. Her boss is retiring and Kathy will take on the job as the big boss. She is excited about that. She makes new friends who work there and enjoys her job very much.
The other two youngest have sort of disowned me now, especially youngest.
My only hope is to be able to relax and enjoy life now forever more.
Very interesting and delightful story to read,Lois! I find it interesting especially in how you preserved the memory of your family history in the names of your children. Whereas the K was once in your last name, now it is in the first names of all your children.
I also did not realize that about K-Mart.
Can't wait to read more or your stories, poems and blogs.
That was an interesting memoir of the birth and life of your girls and your partnership with them all. I think those nurse's were very unfair and unprofessional to allow their egos to stain an otherwise beautiful memory for you. In that respect they undid all the good will they did in helping you to have the birth. They probably had some kind of competition between them, and I am sure you were just a one in long line of people they preyed upon emotionally. I am glad you are OK, but you should never feel bad for someone else stepping out of line like that, and then putting a guilt trip on you. They should have been reported and fired.People that mean to help you, especially if they are already getting paid, have no right to put that burden on you, for you were the patient, and they were there to give to you, not the other way around. They got there reward in there paychecks!
What a wonderful story. One simple letter keeps a families legacy alive. I enjoyed reading it.
Glenda
Reviewed by Sophia Ann Montoya
8/10/2008
Barbara Louise is actually a pretty name. My mother was named after her two nurses & unfortunately that combination was 'Gertrude Ann' -a name she never used. She always went by Pat an abbreviation of her last name 'Patterson'.
Names are fun and I can understand why you kept the 'K's alive. My father's name is Sam and he name each of children making sure their initials spelled S.A.M.
Wishing you comfort and ease throughout your days.
My name is Karen, and my siblings are named (in order of appearance): Kathleen (Kathy), Katherine (Kitty), Kenneth, and Karla. Then there's....me. LOL (I was a surprise; didn't expect me until I was born 11 minutes after Karla!! LOL) Very well penned; enjoyed~
(((HUGS))) and much love, your Tx. friend, Karen Lynn. :D
I really enjoyed the story! I often wondered how K Mart got their name..Thanks .. I do remember Kresges. They went by the way side as have many other stores......M
Lois this write is so beautiful I love it. Awww glad you carried out your decision to name your daughter the very name you had chosen. Yes, I surely remember Kresge's the 5&10; used go there and certainly enjoyed that as a kid. Wonderful hope you are feeling splendid today and that all is well. I feel the same way you do about my daughter she has definately been the joy in our lives and a blessing.
Continued blessings and thank you so much for sharing your words with me,
~Gwendolyn
A beautiful testimony to a family's dedication to heritage. A quality the 4 k's are most proud of in you I am certain.
Tom W.
Reviewed by Kris Geyer
5/6/2008
Wow mom, great story and you know I never knew why we all ended up our names starting with the letter K, and I don't think I ever asked, and now I ask myself why? I just thought it was something snappy you guys came up with. I just know when I got in trouble in my younger years, all four K's would be called before mine was reached. I'm glad you found this new hobby of writing. Keep up the good work! Love Krissy
Reviewed by Stephanie Murray
4/24/2008
Everybody in our neighborhood growing up had names that began with the same letter- Stephanie, Shane, and John and Jason. It has a nice hometown ring to it. Props to you for the four K's. Interesting Story. Keep up the good work.
Interesting write Lois. I used to enjoy going to the old Kreske 5 & 10 Cent stores located in the now defunct downtowns of our cities. Those sure were the good old days. I'd like to see people be faithful to the K Mart stores again because of what it means to our country's economy. Target isn't even an American company and Wal Mart has lost its heritage with Sam gone. Good write my friend. I'd better stop now before I climb back on my pro-American soap box once again. God bless you Lois.
Great job, time heals all wounds. Now that you put it down on paper, you can file it and not think of it again. They will love this write. Love, Bonnie
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