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Unusual names lead to unique memories
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Robin Hood Black, with her cat, May, holds an anthology of poems called “The Arrow Finds Its Mark.” Black has two poems in the book. - photo by For The Times
Perhaps Robyn Hood Black’s parents knew she was destined to be a children’s book author when they named her after the famous storybook character.“I think they had a sense of humor,” Black said.She said it was fun growing up as Robyn Hood. Black is her married name.“I couldn’t really be shy growing up with a name like mine,” Black said.Though her name isn’t very common, she has met a few other “Robin Hoods.”She once met another girl with the same name at a high school football game.“We didn’t even say hello we just launched in with the jokes like ‘Where’s Little John’ and all that,” Black said laughing.She may never have stolen from the rich but her name has come close to getting her into trouble.Once when a substitute teacher was calling roll, the boy who sat in front of Black told the teacher his name was Santa Claus.Of course, when the teacher realized she also had a Robyn Hood present in her class she promptly sent the two to the office.The other children were able to convince the teacher Black was telling the truth before she made it to the principal’s office. Santa, however, wasn’t so lucky.Though Santa didn’t come back to class, Mary Christmas has gotten plenty of phone calls from people looking for him.Christmas lives in Lynchburg, Va., her family still lives in Gainesville.Christmas was named after her grandmother, Mary, who married Henry Christmas on Christmas Day in 1935.Christmas said she’s heard all of the jokes before.“It’s not a big deal.