What’s in a name?  Evidently a whole slew of reinvented identities for me!  I was reflecting on one of these transformative identity changes – and then realized there had been many.  In fact, how you address me is dependent upon who I was  and what i was called at the time.  Let me share with you the many sides of me:

Janet MacMeekin – the original me

Janet Carol – who I am when my mother is full of familial pride or angry at me

Jan MacMeekin – my first radical shift, circa 8th grade.  Decided Janet was too formal and “Jan” was much cooler.  And so I was. (or so I thought…)

McKeever – college name for those who were too lazy or unfocused to remember my real last name

Janet MacMeekin – back to the original for job searching purposes.  Besides, I was a mature college graduate now.  (or so I thought…)

Miss MacMeekin – first year teaching

Ms MacMeekin – second year teaching; more worldly and embracing my feminist side; also not wanting to draw attention to the fact that I was still unmarried when ALL my friends were getting married

Janet MacMeekin – back to the original; back to grad school; looking for another job; entry into the corporate world.  Now totally mature (you know the story…)

Janet Neal – Finally got married and found a name that’s easier to pronounce but shockingly just as easy to misspell

Mrs. Neal – Now I’m really a Mom…

Chris’ mom, Emily’s Mom, TJ’s Mom – OK , now I’m really a Mom!

Ms. Neal – Divorced but still a Mom

Janet MacMeekin Neal – Embracing all of me!

Stay tuned…..I have a feeling there may be more to come!