Royalty throughout the ages has had some decidedly mixed results when it comes to coining their nicknames. On the plus side, you have England's Richard the Lionhearted and Louis XV, France's "Sun King." Some did not fare as well. There was the Holy Roman Emperor Charles the Fat, Louis V the Do-nothing of France and let's not forget Bulgaria's Invailo the Cabbage.
Some saints also had a nickname, but perhaps the most appropriately named one was St. John Chrysotom. The Catholic Church father was such a gifted preacher, speaker and writer, he received the epithet of the Greek word "chrysostomos." That translates as "golden-mouthed."
I came across a prime example of his eloquence in Mike Aquilina's book "The Fathers of the Church."
"An intelligent, discreet and pious young woman is worth more than all the money in the world. Tell her that you love her more than your own life, because this present life is nothing, and that your only hope is the two of you pass through this life in such a way, that, in the world to come, you will be united in perfect love." St. John Chrysotom.
I don't have the word skills to express to my wife Jo Ann how much I love her, and how much it means that we share a love of God. I tell her that I love her, but I don't phrase myself very well.
Another well-known John, the apostle and evangelist, wrote, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4: 7, 8, New American Bible).
Maybe, I'll try to memorize one or both quotations. Then, I may be called Walt the Copycat. But that's fine with me.
When it comes to the love of your life and the love of God as the creator of eternal life, love does not have to be original - only sincere.
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One's supreme love is love of the Supreme One.
(Kozlowski has just published his second book, "God's People: They Walk by Faith." It features over 100 stories of people of all ages and from many walks of life, and the inspiration and faith their lives provide.)