Nine Days Name

Nine days in and I’ve got a nickname.

nearly as tall as that tree...

Now, since I’m teaching primary school, you might think a nickname is a bad thing. Especially after only nine days. I mean, when I was in school, nicknames included Mr Horrible and Mrs Grouch,  Monsieur Fartsalot and Senorita Scatterbrain. Man, I even had a Mrs Mad Scientist as a teacher. 

And then there are the nicknames you get from family and friends. My own moniker was (hem, is) bony butt. Thanks, parents and aunt.

Sometimes, though, nicknames are nicer, signalling a specific positive trait. Like Tall Girl.

They can be terms of endearment. Tall Guy calls me Gorrion (that means Sparrow).

And sometimes they’re about being accepted into a group, like my new nickname courtesy of my class of third-graders.

They call me Pine Treecher. Because they think I’m as tall as a pine tree. And they like me.

Sometimes a nickname can inspire and encourage you. Obviously, Pine Tree stems from (haha, get it?!) my height. But pine trees stand for (haha, I did it again!) creativity, longevity, energy and strength of character. Endurance and steadfastness. Tranquility. A reminder to seek heavenly rather than earthly treasures, a pointer to always reach higher and try harder.

Pine treecher.

It’s a lot to live up to, but I’ll try.

Tom Thompson's Jack Pine, The National Gallery of Canada

Pine Treecher.

I like it.