Judge. Aide-de-camp. Extra.
My paternal grandfather's name was Adjutor E. Tondreau. Grandpa used to joke that the "E" stood for "Exavier," which everyone in my immediate family thought was hilarious. As for "Adjutor," I always thought the name was exotically rustic, old-school, interesting, and wonderful.
"Adjutor" derives from Latin and is "a male adjutant, a helper or assistant. *I wonder if my grandfather's name is my fate. That is—and I realize this is something I need to try to fix for myself—I find myself in situations where I'm executing more than directing; formatting more than designing; fixing the work of the British office of a fancy design firm as opposed to envisioning entire branding.
Of course, calling it Fate is an easy out. The very last day of the year—and of the decade—is a good time to call myself out and challenge myself to change the cours.
*Saint Adjutor is the patron saint of swimmers, boaters, and drowning victims. So, for a French Canadian who was born in Québec and lived not too far from the ocean, I guess the name makes sense.
(Originally slated for October 14, 2019; published December 31, 2019)
My paternal grandfather's name was Adjutor E. Tondreau. Grandpa used to joke that the "E" stood for "Exavier," which everyone in my immediate family thought was hilarious. As for "Adjutor," I always thought the name was exotically rustic, old-school, interesting, and wonderful.
"Adjutor" derives from Latin and is "a male adjutant, a helper or assistant. *I wonder if my grandfather's name is my fate. That is—and I realize this is something I need to try to fix for myself—I find myself in situations where I'm executing more than directing; formatting more than designing; fixing the work of the British office of a fancy design firm as opposed to envisioning entire branding.
Of course, calling it Fate is an easy out. The very last day of the year—and of the decade—is a good time to call myself out and challenge myself to change the cours.
*Saint Adjutor is the patron saint of swimmers, boaters, and drowning victims. So, for a French Canadian who was born in Québec and lived not too far from the ocean, I guess the name makes sense.
(Originally slated for October 14, 2019; published December 31, 2019)
No comments:
Post a Comment