Of unique names, strangers, & unexpected joys.
When I moved to the US & esp. started publishing, I found that using 3 names (AAB), as it should be in my culture, can be quite a hassle. So many tried to make me AB. I couldn't have foreseen this advantage of sticking w/ AAB 1/n

For background, I always use AAB because in my culture (in Eritrea) we carry first names paternally. So my name says, Asmeret, daughter of Asefaw, who is the son of Berhe. If ppl call me Asmeret Berhe, that name doesn't refer to me. 2/n

Personally, it is also very important to me that my dad's name doesn't get dropped. This became personally important to me esp. after his passing. So, I've spent endless time correcting too many people over years if they write my name w/o 'Asefaw'. 3/n

That decision to stick with using my full names turned out to be such a great idea when people who knew my dad from decades ago started seeing my name in d/t things online and in print media. It turned out, it's been keeping the momories of my dad alive (may his soul RIP) 4/n

Since the @CarnegieCorp #GreatImmigrant honor was announced & the ad w/our names and pictures was published in @nytimes. I got many wonderful messages from people who knew my dad. Three of those messages esp. have been so touching, priceless memories to honor my wonderful dad 5/n

The 1st message came after the NYTimes ad from 2 @PeaceCorps volunteers who taught my dad in 1960s when he was uni student. They remembered him as their best student; spoke about some of his accomplishments (from his v. humble family background). They expressed their pride in him

Then came a memory from a scientist (now in his ~60s) who saw my dad play soccer when the scientist was 8 yrs old; saying how he still remembers how incredible my dad was as a footballer. My dad played on the national team when he was young! He was incredible at everything 7/n

And today, came another handwritten note from other @PeaceCorps volunteers from the 1960s, telling me about their memories of my dad as their "absolutely the best student" ... who got connected with me through the first Peacecorps volunteers that I wrote about above 8/n

My dad was an absolute genius (he started from nothing 2 become a legendary teacher, popular banker, brilliant lawyers & law professor; & played many roles for independence & later referendum in Eritrea & more).He was also an incredibly dedicated family man & wonderful father 9/n

I was delighted 2b reminded of how fondly many ppl from across the world remember my dad. I knew this b4 of course. But the fact that ppl were so easily able to connect him w/me b/c I was stubborn enough to keep my name as it should be over the yrs has meant the world 2me. 10/10