There will be no "Johns" in this family

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Mom decided many years ago that no male Smith heir would bear the name 
"John Smith."  It wasn't because the name was linked to some criminal 
element - it had the origins surrounding other notable names such as 
"Jane Doe" or "Jack Jones."   It is how this decision was made that makes the 

story compelling.

Mom, like the rest of her family, looked far younger than she actually 
was.   In fact, I always thought our babysitters were as old as mom, and 
even in later years she seemed to present a youthful appearance.  Her 
brother Jack had one of the best stories about looking youthful:

"I went to a bar in Mitchell, and the bartender asked for my driver's 
license.  He looked at me and said, "You don't look this old.  Let me 
see your draft card."   I found this very humorous, as it had been over 
20 years since I was in the service.  So, I handed him my WWII army 
identification card.   The bartender looked at the card, looked at me, and 
then took once more glance at the card.  Finally he peered at me and 
said, "I don't like it when people lie to me.  Take your card and get out 
of here."   I didn't argue with him - I just left.  It just gave me a 
good laugh."
			
Well, this is where the story begins.

Mom and dad started their life together in Sioux Falls, and for the most part, neither of 
them really knew that many people.  This was especially  so for mom.  She graduated from 
High School at 16 and finished college before she was 21, and in that same fabulous
year gave birth to twin boys.   As these boys were her first, she had no idea that she was 
expecting twins, and on her day of delivery, her doctor was surprised but delightfully 
amused when two male heirs made their way into the world.   To this day 
I believe that if Mom had quit smoking during her pregnancy, it would 
have been obvious.  As it was she gave birth to two boys, each weighing 
slightly over four pounds each.

Her decision to never name a son "John", was made quite innocently in 
her Doctor's waiting room.  She came into the office, signed in at the 
desk and waited for someone to tell her when the doctor was ready to see 
her.   After a period of time, the nurse finally called for her,

"Mrs. John Smith," the voice bellowed over the loudspeaker.

As Mom rose to check in, she passed by a long line of women who began 
to giggle and snicker.  At that moment she knew why.  "These women think 
it's a fake name," she thought.

As she walked by these women to reach the desk, she told herself, "I'll 
never name anyone John Smith".  And that is one promise she never 
broke.

Family Stories