My name is Calvin Colt Crane. For a long time, I have gone by C. Colt Crane. I've done this for years because it is a way to differentiate myself from the numerous Calvins in my family. My official signature is C. Colt Crane and I haven't gone by "Calvin" for quite some time. I mention this because I am named after my grandfather. His name is Calvin Cottrell Crane and as of Christmas Day 2010, he passed away. I attended his funeral and as I walked through the church-house doors, there was a register to sign in the main foyer of the building. I picked up the pen and added my signature to the other names already written. I looked at my signature and noticed that I had signed it Calvin Colt Crane as opposed to my normal signature of C. Colt Crane. As I looked at my name in the book, I was overcome with emotion as I realized exactly what my name meant. Perhaps I have taken my name for granted all of these years. My name is Calvin Colt Crane and though there are many Calvins in my family, I was the only relative of my grandpa to carry the C.C.C. name until my first son was born. My son is named for myself and for my grandpa. His name is Calvin Cash Crane.
Three C's in my grandfather's name. Three C's in my name. Three C's in my son's name. Three generations of the name Calvin C. Crane. My grandfather built a legacy with his life and though I will still go by C. Colt Crane, the resonant meaning of my name is carried always within. The things I accomplish in life and the failures I endure throughout are connected through the eternities to my grandfather. He was a man of principle, hard work, and sacrifice. He built his life around the gospel of Jesus Christ and as such, he instilled in his descendants the desire and responsibility to live well. I loved my grandfather while he lived. I love him still. Since the day he passed on, through his funeral services, and even today as I write these thoughts down; the only time I wept was when I signed my name to that register. Perhaps it was seeing the ink in front of me or perhaps it was the realization and reminder of the short time we have upon this earth. Whatever it was, I know what my name represents. When my son gets older, he too will someday understand his name and the man that it honors. I hope to be a fitting recipient of my grandfather's name. Thank you grandpa, for trusting me with your name and for the happy memories that name evokes.
