What's in a name?

My grandparents Eliza and John William Smith had seven children, three boys and four girls, my dad was the first born and was also christened John William.
As a child they called him Billy, when he grew up he was known always as Bill.
Eliza and JW. Snr named their other two sons Gordon and Harry, then they reverted back to names beginning with the letter J for the girls who were; Joan, June, Jean and Jessie.

Bridesmaids at older brother Gordon's wedding.
L-R June, Jean, Jessie & Joan.
 (the other little bridesmaid was from Mary the bride's) side of the family 

When the first grand child was born (me) Eliza dictated expressed a wish that the J tradition be continued and so I was duly christened Julie Margaret.
However, my mother Eva was also a woman with a strong will and she insisted that everyone call me Margaret.
(4 years later my sister Rhonda was born, no J for her!)
Over the years I've been asked many times "are you Julie or Margaret", it can cause confusion sometimes.

My parents on their wedding day.
Gordon was the best man.

What handsome young men they were.

Gordon, Harry, Joan and Jean all chose not to continue with the J tradition, however June has a daughter, also Julie, and Jessie named her daughter Jane.
After my parents divorced in the early '60's, Dad married Joyce. Another J!
When their daughter was born in 1968 my second sister dodged a bullet too.

This is the first page of the Memory Scrapbook which I created for
Kathryn's 40th birthday.

In my early twenties I decided Margaret was too "old fashioned" and asked everyone to call me Maggie, now only my close family call me by my given name.

Like father, like daughter.
Bill & Maggie or should that be John & Julie?

My dad passed away almost four years ago and we all still miss him very much. 

Joining another J, Miz Jenny, @ off on my tangent 

for this week's

Alphabe-Thursday 

with this very personal tribute to

the letter J.

12th April.

A taste of Spring in Normandy for Mary's Mosaic Monday @ the little red house and in memory of my Dad, can it really be two years now since we said goodbye, a mosaic featuring his favourite flowers, daffodils.
I'm also linking to Tracey's Weekly Words to Live By meme @ Notes From A Cottage Industry.

If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love.

Maya Angelou.

Do try and visit Mary & Tracey if you get the chance, I know you'll enjoy visiting both of these great blogs.

Hope you all have a great week.

YMBD Saturday Scraplift

Well, here I am bragging again...................I was just thrilled to win the Saturday scraplift challenge over at YMBD last weekend with this LO of my Dad, Bill enjoying the seaside back when he was a young man and I was just a twinkle in his eye.