Mamie is not my name. Mamie Olive was my maternal grandmother’s name. I had never met her as she died just before I was born. As a matter of fact, Mamie passed away at precisely the same age as I currently am now. My mother and uncle have always praised their mother of her saintly ways. I look forward to meeting her one day.

What’s in a woman’s surname name anyway? I have had four last names in my 57 years… my birth name; my adoptive father’s name, (when I was two years of age); my married name when I was 19 years; and my current last name upon re-marriage at 36. Having pride in a surname is easy for a male as they carry it with them all of their lives. It can define them as it may disclose a lineage for all the world to see – just in print alone!

But, I have Mamie Olive! Her name seems to be simple and humble… much like I assume Mamie to have been. But, then comes the, “Olive”… like a lemon adds zest to a simple drink of water, Olive is the flare that gives Mamie character.

Mamie’s parents immigrated from Stockholm, Sweden to Northern Minnesota. How were they to know that over 100 years later… the name that they chose for their baby daughter would take on new life? Mamie Olive…