You Can Call Me Tasoni--Or Don't

I recently had talking-to by a consecrated sister about how people should call me Tasoni (instead of my first name). It was not a lecture exactly because to be honest she was just stating her opinion (not knowing where I stand on the issue), but I still felt oddly reprimanded?

First, to clarify, a consecrated sister is a woman who devotes her life to Christ, remains celibate, but serves in the world (rather than within the confines of a convent). She is always called Tasoni. She has a uniform of light gray with a veil (like a nun's habit).

Her argument for why I should be called Tasoni was nice. She said that she feels a priest's wife should be called Tasoni out of respect for her position.

I... completely disagree.

Let me be perfectly straight with you here: I always called my tasoni "Tasoni" and not by her first name. She was almost old enough to be a Tante but not quite--so tante was not appropriate. And I take "tasoni" very literally. If I call you tasoni, it's because I think of you as a sister. But I don't believe you should call the priest's wife "Tasoni" automatically "out of respect for her position."

First, I have no position. Yes, Abouna and I are one. But there were no prayers said over me, no special blessings (a shame really :p). I did not get a promotion. That's why you don't call Tasoni "tamav" (mother)... Abouna is your father, but Tasoni is just your sister. Abouna and I are not on the same level in church hierarchy, and I don't say this out of jealousy but RELIEF! (THANK YOU, LORD!).

Second, plenty of people call the priest's wife "tasoni" and gossip about her behind her back. I call BS on this magical "automatic" respect. I don't want it. I would rather be loved than respected, and, if you respect me along the way, that's fantastic.

I'm a person. I make mistakes. I show up late to Liturgy sometimes often sometimes. It happens. I would rather you get close to me, get to know how I think, then respect or disrespect me after that--your choice. But at least I know that it's because of me and not because of some imaginary picture of me you put together up in the air somewhere.

I don't mind "tasoni"--especially if you mean "my sister." But--honestly--call me whatever you like. I'll respond.