What's in a name?

 I was assigned a student who needed tutoring due to an eye condition that hindered his reading. His name was Jeremy and he was in 5th grade. I asked what name he preferred to be called by, Jeremy or Jerry. He said it didn't matter. I asked him what his family called him at home. He thought for a moment and then said they didn't call him anything, didn't use his name.

  This might seem like an isolated and strange situation, not using  a person's name to address them, but I know this is not an isolated occurrence. Maybe someday I'll write how I know that is true, but not right now.