All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter,
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
-Tolkien

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Steemit Name Challenge - Papa Crusher

I was recently tagged in a post by @foxyspirit about her rendetion of the Steemit Name Challenge. I think this is an awesome idea and an intriguing way to get to know some of your fellow steemians! So, here we go!

My steemit name is @papacrusher. I have been using this as a gamertag and message board ID for many, many years. For me, the name is a combination of two nicknames that held a special place in my heart. The two names are “papa” and “crusher”.

I took the name “papa” from the nickname affectionately used by friends and loved ones for Ernest Hemingway. Ever since I could read and understand his work, I have been absolutely fascinated with the works of Hemingway.He was a true literary giant and a god among mortals! As I become older, wiser, and more mature I began to study the man outside of his works and I was captivated by the gusto with which he lived his life. For such a man to constantly face his demons of depression and win is inspiring to say the least and when he finally lost one of those battles it was tragic and a loss felt by an entire society. I deeply admire “Papa”Hemingway not only as a literary genius, but also as a man who lived life to the best of his ability.

Ok, now onto the second part of my steemit name. I chose “crusher” because for the last 20 years for better or worse, right, wrong, or indifferent I have been a cop. “Crusher” was the slang name for law enforcement officers in during the 1700’s and the full name was “Skull Crusher”due to the violent and brutal way officers dealt with crime and opposition at the time.

Taking the nickname “crusher” actually started out as a bit of a morbid joke with two of my co-workers. We were unlike most cops and didn’t start becoming cops for the normal reasons most do. We didn’t see it as a calling or a destiny. At the time, it was a means to an end, a paycheck. Now as I have matured and grown spiritually and emotionally, I see it more as a calling and that I was placed in my role by a higher power. Since, we did join for the normal reasons, we were not held to the “cop” culture and we never followed some of the bad practices some other officers find themselves falling into. We always dealt with situations as human first and as a cop as a last resort. We were mocked, called names, told we were scared or weak, etc. So as an homage to the way I have always dealt with people, I added “crusher” to the end of my moniker as an ironic twist to being a “gentle giant”.

I really enjoyed explaining my name to all of you and I appreciate it if you made it this far!

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