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Both of my stories have to do with what I call my grandmothers. Before the grandkids were born, my extended family would go to the beach every summer. One year they all drew nicknames out of a hat just for fun. They were silly names like Noo-Noo and such. My grandmother pulled out Moo-Moo, and it just kind of stuck. I was the first grandchild on that side, and from the time I was born she wasn’t known as Grandma or Mama, just Moo-Moo. Now everyone refers to her as such, and though she doesn’t greatly appreciate it, it’s just a fun piece of family folklore. We often give her gag gifts that have to do with cows to add to the fun.
My other grandmother has a different story. My brother and I are the youngest grandkids on my dad’s side by over ten years. So all of my older cousins grew up and still call my grandmother Grammie, but when I was little I guess I could not say it. I started calling her Bay one day, and that’s what my brother and I have always called her. My cousins don’t understand it, but it’s just what we know her as. Whenever I am talking about my grandmothers, people look at me funny, but to me Moo-Moo and Bay are just their names!
— Mandy Tompkins