Jesus had 12 disciples. I only have one. How apt that he should be called John, the favourite by default, and my evangelist, I mean so say, my blogger, the man who fictionalises my life to squeeze every last drop of meaning from it.
John, from the Greek Ioannes, based on the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning Graced by God. I don't want to come over all metaphysical, but it's crystal clear to me that John is indeed blessed with some very special graces. Exactly the kind of graces of which I am entirely devoid. Where I stick out like a sore thumb, he blends in. Where I put my foot into my mouth (usually both feet, let's face it), he finds the right words to smooth things over. He has an almost magical ability to make himself liked. It is virtually impossible not to like John Watson. I am not jealous as such, but I do at times wonder what it would be like to inspire such universal goodwill in my fellow humans. John would tell me that I only need to stop being such an arse. But if an arse is what one is, how does one stop being one?
John may be an ancient name of Biblical dimension, but it is also the name of Everyman. Not a freak name like Sherlock. Every Tom, Dick and Harry is called John. I am not pointing this out to reduce your significance, John, on the contrary. You, John Everyman, Average Joe, have come to represent all humanity to me. You have given a face to the amorphous masses of bodies that I used to see where I now, thanks to you, see people. You really, quite literally, mean the world to me.
Hamish, anglicised form of the Gaelic Seumas, the equivalent of James, Latin, from the Hebrew Ya'acov (Jacob) meaning to follow on the heel. How apt, but don't tell John; he'll think I am comparing him to a dog.
James and John. Why is everyone around me so bloody Biblical? John James, my two Maries, even my landlady, who keeps telling me she is not my housekeeper, is called bloody Martha! I don't know what the universe is trying to tell me here, but for the record, I don't fancy myself the Messiah.
Watson, short for Walterson. Walter, Germanic Walthere, meaning leader of armies. I don't know anything about John's father, but this seems a little far-fetched. But I am grateful for some Pagan relief from all this Biblical significance. I suppose not everything can fall so neatly into place.
However, this: Everyman-full-of-Grace who follows where I lead. I'm happy with that. I hope John is, too.