A Rose by Any Other Name

 Shakespeare famously wrote, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I've been thinking a lot lately about what's in a name. What value. For over 26 years now, I've been Jenna Wood. But I am thinking about and preparing to change my name back to Jenna Harris. 

I love the Wood family and have wanted to be careful not to hurt them. I miss them and wish I could see them more often. But here's the thing. My former spouse is engaged and his fiancée's name starts with a J. And it suddenly seems too much--like I could get mixed up with her. It will be weird to say the name I only had for 21 years again. 

I remember when I got married, I was so angry at my parents and I was glad to be rid of Harris. But now, those are the people who have stood by me through thick and thin. It's my original name and I'm eager to reclaim it. 

Will I be the same person? 

In one sense I will and in one sense I won't. And I'm eager to try it out. I hope it feels like peace and comfort and coming home. But I also know it will feel a little like loss. I've coped with so much loss already, I think it might be time to step into the loss and see if there isn't a little growth on the other side. 

In preparation for my name change, I've changed the name of the blog. Introducing, Jenna's Jots, the perfect title to go with any last name.