In Reply to: To Acheick posted by Alan on September 26, 2003 at 03:40:43:
that was funny - thank you so much for the light hearted humor. I sure needed that too! You guys are great and have greatly encouraged me after a very bad day.
OK - since you're so nice, I'll tell you what my nickname means. First - you pronounce it AH (short vowel sound) Cheeck with the emphasis on the Ah. It is an Armenian nickname which means little girl and most Armenian grandmothers used it as an endaring term to their children and grandchildren. My grandmother used to call me that.
See, Alan, I'm Armenian and my ancestors were persecuted for being Christian. My grandmother lost 5 children durng the Armenian massacre. They died from starvation. Families were torn apart. Men were sent to the Turkish army and killed. Women and children were sent to the desert to die. I grew up listening to her stories of the massacre and watching her cry day after day. Not only her, but every Armenian of her generation. So, this is very special for me and I'm very sensitive about it. I understand what it's like to have to fight for your faith and your freedom, for your family. I think a lot of people nowadays do not realize what that means. My grandparents came to the U.S. for freedom and they found it. They would always, always thank God everyday of their life for bringing them to America. That's why it's so hard for me to listen to this current trend of anti-American frenzy.
Some people think they know me, but they know nothing about me. I used to be an anti-American hippie in the 60s, protesting against the war, the government, the system, but I've changed now. I realize nothing is perfect and we have it a lot better than we realize. Sadly, many of us will not understand that until it is taken away. all that to say that is why I use that as my moniker.