The Importance of Being Jr.

Junior. Are you one of us? I'm not talking about a specific year in college or high school. I'm talking about the untold masses of people "BLESSED" with the name of one of their parents. Although it seems for the most part to be a males only club, I bet there are a few of you ladies too who were labeled with mom's name, (and maybe even dad's). You females named "Francine" because your dad was "FRANK" or "Willamena" because your pop was "WILLIAM", don't count. You still got your own name.

I suppose if my parents had been well-to-do, I might have gotten a better title. "The Second" is far more regal sounding. "Junior" on the other hand has a diminutive vibe, which sucks. Or so I thought...

Sammy Davis Jr. once said "The ultimate mystery is one's own self." High words from a guy with the same name as his father. I have never been upset to be a junior, but it is always there. I remember the standard phone call at my house went like this:

"Hello?.... (long pause) .... Senior or Junior?"

It's not a huge big deal, or at least that's what I used to think. My name is Gary Peters. That's my dad's name too. That's also the name of a Major League Baseball pitcher. That's also the name of a Michigan State Senator. There's a bunch of us lost on Google.

But, the other day I Googled my self and included the Jr. There I was! Finally! It's not so bad being a junior. Sometimes the things you think make you the same as other people are REALLY the things that make you stand out.