When my mother was carrying me, Pearl Harbor happened on December 7, 1941, marking a pivotal moment in history that would change the world forever. I was born in March 1942, just a few months after this event, during a time when the nation was reeling from the shock of war. My parents, like many others, faced the uncertainty of the future, compounded by the military draft that had been instituted to bolster the armed forces. They went to the local newspaper to read through the names of those being drafted, a ritual that many families engaged in to see if their loved ones were called. Among the names listed, they came across the name Thomas Lee, which resonated with them for reasons they couldn’t fully articulate. They found it to be a name that carried a sense of strength and resilience. Therefore, my middle name does not carry any special meaning or significance beyond the simple choice that came from a moment of reflection during tumultuous times, reflecting how life’s circumstances can influence even the smallest details of our existence.

Daily writing prompt

What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance?

View all responses