Happy Birthday, Brother Bill ! I can hardly believe that my baby brother is celebrating his 70th birthday! As I thought back over all of our years together, especially the early years, I started thinking about some of the weird names we called each other. However, it seems that you were the recipient of most of these names. These remembrances have resulted in the following thoughts I had about your most prominent nicknames.
Nicknames From Bill’s Past
Going back about 63 or 64 birthdays ago, Bill was part of a nickname phase that we, along with some of our playmates, went through which lasted about a decade. At the tender age of six or seven near the end of World War II, bill became known as “Number 1 Rationing Stamp”. I am quite sure that he was unique in the entire United States in having this really catchy nickname. This was the rationing stamp that was required for buying sugar during the War, and it was a natural for Bill. He probably still has phobias as a result of this.
Later, maybe by the age of ten or so, Bill became universally known as “BB”. It obviously took a lot of imagination for us to come up with this one. Actually, I believe his friends started it, and it stuck. For several years, Bill was known to his friends as BB. Sometime when he doesn’t know you’re around, yell “Hey, BB!” and watch his reaction. It will most likely bring back a flood of memories for Bill, and don’t be surprised to see him dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief.
Later still, when Bill was probably in his early teens, he became known to certain members of the family as “Bamince” (that’s with a long i). Of course, brother Ramon was known as Ramince. Obviously, there was some confusion if the name wasn’t articulated well as to which mince was being addressed. Apparently, this led more problems than was anticipated, because I don’t recall any further nicknames for Bill or me.
I’m just amazed, however, that one of those great nicknames Bill had didn’t last. Just think how much fun it would be these days if we all called him “BB”, or better yet, “Bamince”.
Bill, after putting you through all that, I just want to say that you and Sharon have been so very fortunate to have been together for so many of those 70 years. I can truly say that I have never seen another couple who are obviously so much in love. Our Lord has certainly blessed you both.
I love you Bill and Sharon.
Have a wonderful day celebrating together.
Your loving brother always,
Ramon
