Papillote is a French Christmas candy as popular as candy canes in the States. Though it doesn't look anything like a candy cane it is made of chocolate. You might think it is a bit odd that I am writing about a Christmas candy during Easter … Though you will see my story doesn't have anything to do with Christmas except the name of the candy.
Since Martin and Chelsea did not want to reveal Olivia's name until she was born they called her, "Papillote" in the months leading up to her birth.
Gabriel understood this to mean Olivia had this name. From that moment on the name, "Papillote" has stuck with him.
When we arrived at my Mom's home Gabriel said his sister's name was, "Papillote".
My mother had a difficult time pronouncing "Papillote" so she asked Gabriel to teach her how to say it.
Gabriel would say, "Pap-pee-ought".
My mother tried and tried to pronounce it though she just couldn't get it right.
After the 100th time, my mother gave up and said,
"Okay, forget about it, I am going to call her, "Tapioca".
And she did.
The day went on with my mother singing and saying, "Tapioca" and Gabriel correcting her every time,
"No, Vavalinga it isn't "Tapioca", it is "Papillote".
But my mother shook her head adding, "I cannot pronounce it, so Tapioca it is."
By the end of the day, I don't know who said it first, the two names merged –
"Papioca"
and just like that, another nickname came to be.
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