To Mom or Dad — Is Hilary named after someone? And if Hilary was born a boy, what would her name have been? And do you think it is easier or harder to raise boys or girls?

Mom, please don’t say my middle name when answering Neil’s question.

Neil:
HI…Hilary is named for her maternal grandmother. That is her middle name, her first name is our creation. Hil’s dad and I were avid news watchers during the Vietnam War. We had done our share of protesting and watched the TV coverage with childlike amazement. It was the first time that a war was “televised.” The ABC reporter was Hilary Brown. She was articulate, pretty and very bright. We were attracted to her personality and other qualities and liked her so much…VOILA…our own Hilary was born!!!! THE END…THAT IS THE WHOLE STORY. Her middle name is in memory of my mother and Hil’s Hebrew name is my mother’s…SHULAMIT.
Take care,

Hil’s mom

Thanks, Hilary’s Mom.

Here’s a very small photo of Hilary Brown reporting for ABC News more recently.

http://www.mrc.org/stillshots/2003/brown080803.jpg

Neil:

Wow…time certainly flies. Hilary Brown is younger than I…and, even SHE looks OLD!!!
That means Hil’s dad and I must be really old!!!!

Thx for the picture.

Hil’s mom

How cool to hear the origin of Hilary’s name. I have always loved the name Hilary. Very pretty.

I was reading an article on sibling rivalry last night and thought I better ask the origins of Bethany’s name before she thinks we love Hilary more than her and Bethany hates her sister for the rest of her life and doesn’t go to her wedding and refuses to answer the phone every Hanukah when Hilary calls to say hello and Bethany tells her future husband that “My sister is dead to me!” and the two sisters don’t talk again until they are both ninety years old and they finally make up, but cry over all the years that they missed talking to each other, all because of my stupid post.

Whoa Neil…you have me pegged so wrong. I will let my mom tell the story about my name…

Neil: What a lot of creativity went into that breathless statement!! Love that story. By the way, are you single??(sorry Hil, just asking) Anyway, my father died while I was pregnant with Bethany. The doctors and we were all sure that she was a boy!! So, we were going to name him, Benjamin Parker ______. However, our little he turned out to be a she!!! (this was way before definitive ultrasounds, etc.) We were at a loss for a girl’s name. We wanted it to start with a “B” in memory of my dad. My gynecologist’s wife’s name was Bethany, so he suggested we name her Bethany. So, Bethany Parker ______, (not allowed to give the last name) was born and named all on the delivery table!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hilary is named for my mom and Bethany for my dad. My parents were 2 of the most incredible human beings that ever lived!! I miss them terribly and my beautiful daughters are a constant reminder of that love.

The End

MOM

What a story. I’m sure your father was there with you in spirit when Bethany was born — and your parents are still up above kvetching about their crazy grandchildren.

Hiya Neil:
My parents are “kvelling” up there…not “kvetching.” Or…did you mean kvetching about their grand daughters’ antics?

You did not answer the most important question…are you single?

Hil’s Mommy!!!!

I meant their antics.

And you make me blush, Hil’s mom, asking me that — you’re already married! I understand you were around during the swinging 1960’s, but…

I don’t check the blog all day and look what happens–my mom and sister take over and my mom pimps me out.

And you wonder why I’ve never given my mom my blog URL…

Umm, What’s your take on the dollar crisis? Please use these guys NBER.ORG to back up your answer. And yeah, I got here from Esther K.

Cheers, ‘VJ’ [No that's not my email]

OK How about a simpler question?
What’s the best thing you have written?

Ludivette, sorry to disappoint, but I’m not Hilary Duff.