Sounding Alike

My beloved nephew is now 17 years old.  The little boy I used to carry around when he was a baby is now a good deal taller than I am and growing taller everyday.  Along with growing taller, his voice has changed and is much deeper.

I called my sister last night and Josh answered the phone and I wasn’t sure if it was my brother-in-law or my nephew.  So I asked to whom I was speaking with and he replied, “Josh”.  Well, that doesn’t help me much since he and his father share the same name (different middle names so he isn’t a junior). When he asked if I wanted to speak with his mom, I realized that it was my nephew.  I pointed out to him that he sounded a great deal like his father and I really can’t tell them apart anymore.  This didn’t seem to impact him at all (being as he is 17) as he kind of gave a half hearted “huh” to my comment.

We did end up having a nice discussion on what he would like for Christmas.  I think I might have raised his hopes when I asked about the old truck that he drives.  I think he might have thought I would get him a new vehicle.  Well, my beloved nephew, if I had the extra money, I would be happy to buy you a new vehicle.  But, in the mean time, his Christmas present will probably be far less expensive although I think I have come up with a really great idea that he will like despite the fact that it will cost less than a new car.

Getting back to him and his father sounding alike…I realized today that I am going to have quite the dilemma in a few years when my sister’s daughters get to be teenagers.  There will be four girls that will sound like their mother.  I won’t have any chance of knowing who I am talking to when I call their house.  If it’s a male, it will be one of two people but if it’s a female, it will be one of five people!!  O boy am I going to be in trouble.

I think when I am out there at Christmas, I will discuss with them about learning to identify themselves when they answer the phone.  Instead of just saying “hello”, saying “hello, this is Josh the Younger” or “hello, this is Anna” or whatever the name is of the person who picks up the phone.

I know my sister and I sound a lot alike on the phone.  So much so that when I lived with them years and years ago (when Josh the Younger was a baby), I would answer the phone and my brother-in-law would say “Hello, honey” and I would respond “wrong one, Josh”.

Genetics are an amazing thing that all these individuals can sound so much alike.  Although it may not just be genetics.  It may just be people who grow up hearing the sound of their siblings and parents speaking will end up sounding the same.  A friend of mine has an adopted daughter who is now a teenager. I really have a hard time telling them apart on the phone. She sounds like her mom when she first answers the phone and it takes me a moment to realize who I have reached.

Oh well.  Hopefully everyone will understand when I hesitate when they answer the phone.  My brain has to sort out the sound and attach it to someone’s identity.  And sometimes the synapses in my brain don’t work that fast.  Maybe I should start humming that Jeopardy song when I am contemplating who I have on the phone. “dum de dum dum…dum de dum; dum de dum dum…dum de dum de dum de… “.  That will give people a chance to say “Hey Julie it is_____” and relieve themselves of hearing me sing the Jeopardy song.  It’s a thought!