Danger is my middle name

 I promised you all that I would blog about what I really think of my new grandson Wesley's middle name, "Danger." Well, here it is!

For starters, I bought this onesie for little Wesley Danger and put it on him right before his parents picked him up to surprise them. I think the whole thing is pretty funny. (I also now know you can find just about anything on Amazon!)

Now don't get me wrong. I think "Daniel" would have been an awesome middle name, after the brave Old Testament prophet (remember him in the lions' den?). "Mark" would have been a great middle name too, after his dad, Caleb Mark, and Grandpa, David Mark. Mark is also my favorite gospel, because it is action-packed. "Wesley Dean" would have sounded cool, almost as cool as James Dean.

"Danger is my middle name" became a pop culture phrase after the 1997 hilarious movie "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery." That movie was one of Aunt Jenny Doty's favorites, and my kids remember watching it when they had sleepovers at her house. So maybe it was that, or something else, that gave Caleb the idea to give his son the middle name "Danger." 

Unlike Blake Shelton, who sings "You name the babies, I name the dogs," Caleb and June had a different arrangement. June named their first child, a girl, Rose Elizabeth, after her favorite saint and her own middle name. (Caleb completely agreed, because serendipitiously Great-grandma Epp is also Rose, and my middle name is also Elizabeth). But June had named her dog, Lily, before she ever met Caleb. So Caleb was given the lead on the task of naming the coming man child. And he thought actually giving his kid the middle name "Danger" would be fun. 

June, as you might imagine, was a little reluctant. However, she did something that I think was quite prescient. She told me she thought about when Wesley was older, maybe six or so. Maybe he and his daddy would go fishing, or something. And at some point, the conversation would inevitably happen. "You know, son, I wanted 'Danger' to be your middle name. But your Mama said 'NO'." And little Wesley would go running to his mama and demand why she refused the coolest middle name EVER. So she let Caleb have his way. 

My husband, who we call "Silly Grandpa," is pretty sure Wesley will become a wrestler like his Daddy and go by the name Danger Franklin. And that may be true, because he already calls him Danger more than Wesley. 

Caleb said he just wanted to have a little fun with his son's name. I am glad he and June are making decisions together, and I imagine Wesley Danger will have something to talk about for the rest of his life!

Wesley, as you wish

Our sweet grandson, Wesley, is nearly two months old. He was born on Father's Day, June 21, 2020. 

Our son, Caleb, chose the name partly after his first boss, Wes Stein. 

Well, Dave was actually Caleb's first boss, because our kids worked for Franklin Lawn Service from early on, sometimes because Dave wanted me to help and they were too young to be home alone. 

Wes was a new customer of ours, but we had known him for years, since Dave's grandma Lena Franklin had worked for Wes for over 30 years at his grocery store, Farmer's Market on North Broadway. Wes lived near us in Benjamin Hills on a large lot that backed up to the river. One day he mentioned that he would like extra help with landscaping and other odd jobs. We said our son Caleb could help him. We assured Wes that although he was only in middle school, Caleb had muscles and could probably do whatever Wes needed to have done.

And that started a part-time job that lasted until Caleb graduated from high school. 

Caleb says Wes was patient when he explained what he wanted done, and as the years went by the job got easier because Caleb remembered how Wes liked his vinca trimmed in spring, or where in the shed he stored a particular tool. 

While they worked together, Wes would tell Caleb stories about back when he was a boy, or about the places they traveled when Wes' wife, Mary, had her travel agency.

One year before Memorial Day (Caleb was already in high school by then), Wes had a special request:  Could Caleb accompany him on a day trip to decorate his family's graves?  And could he bring a Weed Eater? The country cemetery would be choked with weeds, and Wes, who was probably 90 years old by then, no longer felt up to the task of clearing away the debris. 

So Caleb went with him to run the string trimmer and help with setting out the flowers on the graves. 

I remember Caleb felt privileged to be included on that excursion, and I think he and Wes both had a good time. I think both hoped it would become a yearly tradition, but by the next year I don't think Wes felt up to making the trip, even with Caleb's help.

Dave's grandma and Wes remained good friends, calling each other faithfully on their respective birthdays. Caleb arranged for Wes (who was using a walker by then) to visit her in the nursing home. He picked Wes up and helped him navigate the facility. Both Lena and Wes thoroughly enjoyed the visit. That was the last time they saw each other.

Wes Stein visits Lena Franklin

It makes me happy that Caleb chose to name his son after a boss who patiently explained procedures. A successful businessman who enjoyed working outdoors taking care of his property. A storyteller who became a respected mentor and friend. And someone to whom Caleb was able to give back as well.

Wes passed away on April 19, just a little over two months before Wesley Danger Franklin was born, so he didn't know about the tribute, but we told his daughter and let her know we will be remembering Wes through our new grandson.

I think the handsome hero Westley from the iconic 1987 movie "The Princess Bride" also played a part in the name choice. Nothing wrong with that, either. I love that movie! Westley was a simple farm boy who always told the beautiful Buttercup, "As you wish." Through courageously protecting Buttercup from R.O.U.S. (Rodents of Unusual Size) and other hazards, he proves his true love for her. 

A hard worker or a dashing hero? Either would be fine. Maybe Wesley will be both.

If you kept reading until here to see what I really think of Wesley's middle name, Danger, you might be disappointed. I will tackle that topic on my next blog post!