Path to Greatness Series: ‘My Name’ by Oluwatimilehin (Timmie) Fatoki

My Name

I always wondered what life would be like

If I changed my name ?

How would my life be changed ?

Would I be the same girl

Everyone sees me as ?

Would they forget me ?

Would I be just another face

In the crowd ?

I then realize my name

Makes me who I am.

It defines me as a person,

As a Christian,

As a Nigerian,

As an American.

People see my name

And they remember who I am.

I’m not another face in the crowd.

My name is Oluwatimilehin.

And with God behind me,

I can go on with life,

With confidence,

And with pride

Knowing that

I can show people

Who i am

And where I come from

With my name.

2014 (c) Timmie Fatoki

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Timmie Fatoki

This poem was written by my 16 year-old niece, Oluwatimilehin (aka Timmie) Fatoki.  This worthy poem was selected out of so many and included in the Building Bridges Between People Everywhere:  Healing the Heart of the World; An Anthology of Writings from the Maryland Connects Writing Project.  Timmie was recognized along with other recipients at the Chinese Embassy, host of the event, last Friday, April 25.  The event started with a tour of the beautiful building.  One thing we noticed was that every room had a work of art.  It was either a poem mounted on the wall, or art work.  Just beautiful. I can’t promise a translation , but I can promise you pictures in this post.

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Timmie with her proud parents 

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Timmie and I

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Timmie is a remarkable young lady who has found her voice at such a young age. Congrats to you Timmie!  I am so proud of you!   Your poem really got me thinking about the importance of my name.

Like I tell the young ones around me - ‘know who you are so the world will not tell you who you are. ’  My kids have been subject to ridicule because of their names.   I remind them it’s because those who ridicule are ignorant of the importance of their names.  They must educate them and more importantly be proud of who they are.

I am sure many of us (immigrants) or children of immigrants have thought of changing our names. Maybe because others couldn’t pronounce it so you shortened it to make it easier for them to pronounce.  Shortening or outright changing the name makes life easier, but we would be lost in the crowd, wouldn’t we?  We would just be another Nikki (Nike) or Sean (Seun by the way) or Tony (for Tunde) just to name a few.   Where I come from,  a name is more than just a name, it represents our origins, beliefs and culture.  Your name personifies you. My full name is Adenike – ‘Ade’ means crown and crown represents Kingship/God ; ‘Nike’ means pamper/care for me.  Now, I will not list my additional five names, I don’t think I can hold your attention for that long.  Timmie wrote it brilliantly – my name:

Makes me who I am

It defines me as a person,

As a Christian,

As a Nigerian,

As an American.

People see my name

And they remember who I am.

I’m not another face in the crowd.

Well said sweetie.   Another young lady on her path to greatness.  Look out for her!

As you read this,  remember and keep in your prayers, the 200+girls  kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State Nigeria.  They have names, but their names haven’t  been released.  Whatever you can do to help, please do.   Sign the petition.  http://www.change.org/petitions/over-200-girls-are-missing-in-nigeria-so-why-doesn-t-anybody-care-234girls?recruiter=91355651&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition.  There are several events happening this Saturday  to speak out against what happened. Let your voice be heard.

What does your name mean? Educate us by sharing.