Travel Journal

My friend Matt Espinoza changed this name once again. Actually his name is Leo Espinoza I believe, but he changed his name to Matthew somewhere after High School. And I came to know him as Matt.

There was a stint a while back where he changed his name back to Leo. I don't think that lasted long, and I continued to call him Matt anyway. Now he sent an email saying his new name is Michael Anthony Espinoza. I wrote back and say it was more manly, which it does sound a little bit more manly.

Poor boy is still trying to get his life on track. The new name is suppose to symbolize a fresh new start and new life, which is good I guess. I have heard the Chinese use to be given a new name every time they enter a new stage in life. A new name for a new identity. I think that is a great idea. However, I also cherish the idea of sticking with one name for your whole life. All your current and new identities can be embodied in that one name, and in the end, that name not only represents your current identity, but all that you have been in the past. It represents you, the many facets of you, and the many generations or re-generations of your life. It also is a gift and a memory from your parents. What was important to them such that they gave you that name. Your original names carries that with it. Or it may anyway.

"Name"