"My name. Your name. And everyone's name. They all have a story behind them, whether you think about it or not. Whenever you sign a check, divorce papers, birth certificate or a homework assignment. There amongst all the trivial things is a story. My name is like a book to me."- Samuel VanGeison

I wrote these words about 10 months ago and with every passing day I begin to believe in this philosophy(if you could call it a philosophy) more and more. Your name is on your birth and death certificate. It is on your tombstone and your resume. On your business card and your checkbook. It is your shorthand life story. Captured in just a few names. Ask someone who they are. How do they answer? With their name, of course. If only when we saw a name written on paper or spoke aloud could we be watching the major motion picture of their lives, but such a film would last too long. Maybe you don't agree with this philosophy. I don't care. It is my own. It is my thought. And so it works for me.

Recently, I heard the story behind my middle name, Levi. My dad used to meet his boss up at this restaurant in Springfield every morning. At this restaurant, a group of old men meet in the morning as well. And every morning, these old men would be bored waiting for the ringleader to arrive. The ringleader would burst through the entrance of this restaurant and a chorus of greetings and salutations would accompany his arrival. One of those classic old men. Jovial. A bit on the big side. The action began when this guy arrived. One day, the ringleader didn't burst through that entrance and there was no chorus to meet him. A week or so later, I was born into this world as Samuel Levi VanGeison. I'm a continuation of that jovial old man, that ringleader whose very footsteps sparked action and excitement. His ending was my beginning. It goes to show you that once one good soul departs from this world it is quickly replaced by another of almost the same caliber. Here's to you, Levi. Cheers.