"I Remain"

POSTED BY BK
I received a thank you note from a friend/business associate of mine recently. I noticed something peculiar about how he signs his correspondence. Instead of finishing with the boilerplate Sincerely (This also strikes me as a funny way to complete a letter. It's like saying, "so everything I wrote prior to this wasn't bullshit. I meant it. I was being sincere"), Regards, Best Regards (These aren't just your average regards, these are the best regards I can possibly give you), Love, With Love, Hugs and Kisses, From, etc., he writes, "I Remain" before he signs his name and seals the envelope. After pondering this, I decided that I like this ending and have decided to incorporate it into my own written correspondence. But what does it mean??? Here are some possible interpretations that I've come up with:

1) I haven't changed my name and gone into the Witness Protection Program since our last phone conversation.

I Remain, Brad Kaplan

2) I had considered changing my name to a Muslim Name (like Lew Alcindor switching to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali). After much introspection, I've decided against it. I'm sticking with the name my parents gave me. Sticking with it. A strong, albeit run of the mill, Jewish male name. Bradley Michael Kaplan. Brad Kaplan. Brad Kaplan. Brad Kaplan. Brad Kaplan.

I Remain, Brad Kaplan

3) With my increasing fame, I've decided to take on a stage name. Something similar to Cher, Queen Latifah, Prince or Ludacris. But you knew me on my way up. I keep it real. You and I are tight. We have a longstanding personal relationship. Hence,

I Remain, Brad Kaplan

4) I just had my tonsils out. A harrowing experience--could have died. Laugh all you want. It's surgery. I was put under. But I survived. I survived. Not only did I survive, I flourished.

I Remain, Brad Kaplan (stronger than ever)

5) They are building a nuclear power plant right in my town. Right behind my house. My family is moving. My friends are moving. Nuclear waste will fill my yard. My water supply will be contaminated anytime now. I don't care. This is where I'm from. I'm staying.

I Remain, Brad Kaplan