(My Name) The name I was given

My name is Emily Rakis,

            In Latin my name means industrious. An old Roman name stolen and remolded. It is that of beauty and strength. It would come to my ears like a sweet sound of an ocean wave. Crashing on the shore and relaxing others.

            My great grandmother shared with me the name I have. I am proud to have her strong empowering name. To carry on her legacy makes me proud like a new mother feels looking at her child. My great grandmother was truly my biggest support. She passed away while I was young but she lives on through me.

            My name is like a smooth shell hidden in the sand. Admired and shared by many but left hidden away. The sound of whispering of the name I behold is like a new needle left in the pin of my soul. The harsh names called, not my own, have made me stronger day by day. Rumors and lies like broken glass on bare feet made me grow stronger and painless the more they are heard.

            The moments of life in grandmother house hearing the squishing of bread and the rolling of dough. Smells that put a smile to the name like grandmother’s bread or fresh peanut butter fudge. Tasting the rich peanut butter like a starved child’s first meal. Enjoying the smile, singing, and whistling while still emerged in the safety of grandmother’s house. The world outside, like in school makes the world dark like the sun goes black and gravity stops working. My name means a lot and love is a part of this. The world might be dark, but my name brings strength with light.