Perfect Mistakes

My name is kind of old school in Chinese, and it is from the mistakes of three people. It took me fifteen years to realize the mistake. Even though my name was different and wrong, now it is perfect for me.

I got my first name before I was born from my grandfather, who is my mother’s father. It was玲娟, Lingjuan. However, my mother told my grandfather, my father’s father, a wrong name while he was going to the government to get my identification card. She said that my name was Linjuan, and my grandfather thought that was 林. He went to the household registration department and wrote my name林娟. My grandfather’s handwriting was messy and hard to read. As a result, the officer read it as 桂娟, Guijuan, which is now my current name. She recorded it into computer form without confirming with my grandfather.

I did not like my current name when I was young. I lived with my mother’s parents and use the name 玲娟, lingjuan, when I was young. It was the great hope from my grandfather and I loved it. However, I love my name now because my grandfather has given new meanings to my current name. It means grateful, spring and lovely. It is the name of a flower in Chinese, which is my favorite flower, Osmanthus. One more reason I love my current name is that it is also my grandmother’s name. I love my grandmother and miss her so much since she passed away.

Although my name came from mistakes, and I used to want to change it, I do like it now. It has great meaning that my grandfather wanted, and it reminds me of my grandmother. I am so glad to have my grandmother’s namesake.