Ruth Berkos
My parents had 4 children - Charmaine Rose, Harry Charles, Ruth Ann, & Sharon Jean. Sadly, Charmaine Rose passed away shortly before her 5th birthday (my brother Harry was about 11 months old & my sister Sharon and I hadn't been born yet).
But, I never called my brother "Harry" ... he was always known as "Sonny" to me - my big brother.
When I was very young, I asked my Mother why we didn't call him Harry (b/c I knew that was the name given to him at birth.) She quietly told me when Charmaine died, there was a large turnout of family members, neighbors, as well as Church members who attended her service - it was pretty emotional b/c it was so unexpected - she died in the hospital. An older gentleman came up to my parents to extend sympathy and then told them ... "your fortunate, you still have your little Sonny." My Mom said he became "Sonny" ever since.
Much Love to my Big Brother from his little sister ...
Ruth