Banker: “So, it’s spelled B-E-A-R-S … you said, with two Ss?
Me: “Yes, that’s correct. B-E-A-R-S-S … with two Ss.
Banker: “Hmm … Never seen that before. How do you pronounce that? Like Bear-z-z-z?”
Me: “Actually, while growing up, we were taught that our last name was pronounced like the word “purse,” and not the way it looked. It was a common occurrence having to correct people in its spelling. You’re right, though. It does look like ‘bears’ but it’s pronounced ‘burse’ … like PURSE.”
I wish I had a nickel for every time I had that conversation. As an adult, I decided it would be easier for me to simply change the pronunciation to be the same as it was spelled. I would say, “The last name is Bears, as in ‘Lions and tigers and bears,’ but with TWO Ss at the end.” Invariably, the response would be, “Oh my!” (Thank you, Wizard of Oz.)
It was much easier. However, when I would introduce my parents to someone, it was always pronounced like PURSE.
Here’s why I am explaining all this. As an adult I learned to appreciate something about my father I did not realize when I was a kid. When my parents were around friends and relatives, he exhibited an amusing, quick-witted, quip-loaded sense of humor. He also enjoyed hearing a good joke. I could tell my dad liked to laugh.
Now it is time to tie these two stories together.
You may recall from my blog story “FLY STRAIGHT AND LEVEL,” I wrote a book about my father’s World War II military journey with the U.S. Naval Reserve. Included were numerous photos of my parents as they traveled across the country between naval air stations. Included was a photo taken when they visited Yellowstone National Park on their way to Laramie, WY. While creating this biography and formatting one of those photos, I could not resist inserting a bit of my own sense of humor related to the stories above.
So… Dad…this one’s for you.
