“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.”
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
Roses, not only being my favourite chocolates, are the theme of today’s post. (They are not my favourite flowers. That accolade belongs to peonies). 
I digress. Roses. Names. What’s in a name? Well, there’s my name, Maria Alison Walker. Or not, as the case may be. 
My name is Brigid.
That’s my genuine actual name. I use pseudonyms for everyone in this blog (except Charlene Sumner, the sadistic PE teacher. That really is her name) and I’ve felt safe for a long time knowing everyone thought I was Maria. I didn’t want anyone googling me and finding I have OCD. But then I had a revelation. Why should it bother me? People from my childhood knew I was odd. People from my teenage years saw me st my worse. University friends actively watched me crumble. It’s an open secret at work. Everyone I know knows I have OCD. And if someone I don’t know googles me, then so what? They find out I have OCD. 
My middle name is Mary (hence Maria), and my confirmation name is Alice (hence Alison). I thought Maria Alison sounded quite melodic together. But actually, my real name is much more musical.
I’m Brigid Mary Mahony, and I’m not ashamed of who I am.