Oh, dear readers, strap in and grab your popcorn, because do I have a tale that weaves together sorrow, conflict, and the sanctity of names in a way that only a family drama can. This saga comes straight from the annals of Reddit, a real story shared by a real person, and it’s one that will make you question where the lines of respect and autonomy intersect when it comes to naming our children. Welcome to Roger’s Hot Take, where today, we dive headfirst into the stormy waters of a family torn by a name: Kerra.
Imagine, if you will, a name so beautiful and unique it captures the hearts of not one but two generations in the same family. Our tale begins with a mother, a woman who has faced the unimaginable tragedy of losing a child. Kerra, a name that should have marked the beginning of a life filled with promise and joy, instead becomes a name etched on an urn sitting solemnly on a mantel. Time marches on, wounds scar over, but some pains linger, quietly tucked away in the heart’s most guarded chambers.
Enter stage right, our modern protagonists: the son and daughter-in-law (DIL) of our grieving mother. In what can only be described as a plot twist no one saw coming, they express their fondness for the name Kerra for their unborn daughter. Oh, the audacity, you might think! Or, perhaps, you see it as an homage, a way to keep the memory of little Kerra alive in a new generation. The problem? They hadn’t considered it as an homage and seemingly forgot the emotional weight this name carried for the family.
As any concerned parent would, our protagonist sits her son and DIL down for a heart-to-heart, expressing her discomfort and the emotional turmoil resurrecting the name Kerra could cause. She even offers a compromise—make it a middle name, perhaps, to lessen the blow. Alas, the suggestion falls on deaf ears, igniting an argument that reveals a chasm of misunderstanding and hurt feelings. The DIL accuses our narrator of trying to veto their choice, calling them jerks for their heartfelt plea.
Now, my dear readers, here we stand at the crux of this tale, pondering the question: Are our protagonist and her husband jerks for voicing their pain and requesting the name be reconsidered? Here comes Roger’s Hot Take—absolutely not! Names, you see, are not just words we casually select from a baby book; they carry history, emotion, and legacy. They can be a balm or a thorn, especially in a context as sensitive as this.
Our grieving mother and her husband approached the situation with grace, explaining their feelings and suggesting an alternative. They acknowledged they do not “own” the name but communicated its deep emotional significance. To be labeled jerks for expressing a concern rooted in mourning and love is not only unfair but shows a fundamental lack of empathy from the son and DIL.
Yes, choosing a name for your child is a deeply personal decision, but it does not exist in a vacuum. It impacts those around us, weaving itself into the complex tapestry of family dynamics and histories. When a name carries as much emotional baggage as the name Kerra does for this family, it warrants a discussion that goes beyond mere preference.
In conclusion, folks, the essence of family lies in our ability to listen, empathize, and sometimes, compromise. In the dance of life, our steps affect those around us, reminding us to tread thoughtfully, especially when it comes to matters as sensitive as this. And that, my friends, is Roger’s Hot Take. Until next time, keep those names kind and your discussions kinder.
Original story
I don’t know if I am in the wrong here. About 15 years ago I gave birth to Kerra. She passed when she was three months. She was a surprise and would have been around 10+ years younger than any of the other kids.
She passes and her urn in on the mantle in our home. Life moved on. My DIL has seen the urn before and commented it was a nice name. I didn’t think anything about it at the time.
I got a call from my daughter telling me that I need to talk to them. That they plan on naming their daughter Kerra and knew it would be a problem so they were going to surprise me with it after she was born.
I sat them down and asked if they were going to name their daughter Kerra. They told me it was in the running. I asked if they were naming her after anyone and it was a no. That they just liked the name. I told them I am not very confortable with them doing that. I know I don’t own a name and suggested it could be a middle name and we would just call her her first name. I explained it would be very hard for us and we worry that we may start projecting or it will cause mental distress to use.That I don’t think it is fair to the kid to have that burden.
My husband also said that he wouldn’t be that happy with the decision and feels wrong to name her that.
After that it started agruement, that she is pissed we are trying to veto a name and called us jerk.
My husband and I don’t know if we are jerks or not. We thought we handled this well and communicated clearly our feelings on it.