THE GIFT

THE GIFT

Hello, Doctor Solomon?  Your secretary said you would be okay talking with me on the phone today because you had time between seeing patients. I know it’s kind of weird to do therapy on the phone but I needed to talk to someone.  Well, not someone, but you.

You’re not at work?

No, I’m calling from home.  I left the office because you know how they feel about making personal phone calls. I guess it adds up. Anyway, I wouldn’t have any privacy there.

Go ahead, Gail. We can talk until my secretary buzzes me. How are you feeling?

Am I unhappy, did you ask? I guess that’s what you meant. It’s not always about happy; I mean I really have nothing to complain about, Doctor. Honestly, I should be the woman of the year, 1953’s happiest female.  But….

Should be. But.  Why those wishy washy words, what’s bothering you Gail, Is it the job? Is that what’s making you dissatisfied? Is that the word for it? Maybe you feel depressed?

My job? Dissatisfied? Depressed? Oh, no, doc. I am my own boss.  I have my own little PR firm with my name on the door  How many women do you know who are their own bosses these days? It sure beats being homecoming queen! Ok, It’s hole-in-the wall small and it took me 15 years to get to where I am, but I would be a fool to feel depressed with that under my belt, don’t you agree?  

Indeed. Is it your boyfriend, Gail? Is he what brought you here?

Allen?  is Allen, a problem? Oh, no. He is the perfect partner and friend.  Actually I don’t like the term’ partner’. I don’t call him that even if he does take me places and buy me a corsage even when we’re just goint to the drive-in-movies.

How about your apartment, maybe that’s the problem, Gail?

Nope, doc. No cigar. It’s just a one bedroom apartment, nothing fancy. Tab Hunter is not coming by for cocktails in this place anytime soon. He remains a photo on the wall!    But at least I don’t have to put up with roommates. Imagine a roomie who leaves the sink full of dirty dishes, who  snores or comes home at all hours. A roommate without a job, No thank you.

Lucky, you, Gail. Well, how about your health?

Again, honest, I can’t complain. I never get a cold. I haven’t had the flu in years. Doc, I swim and go to the roller rink once a week whenever Allen or Karen are free.

Most impressive, Gail. So what is it that is bothering you? What brought you here today?

Well, there is something that could be better or at least dramatically different. I know this is going to sound petty or silly.   It is something I have had to deal with since childhood.

What’s petty to one person is not to the other, Gail. Especially  if it dates from childhood. Is it some sort of abuse that you’ve never spoken about with anyone?

Oh, no, doc. Nothing like that…

Some sort of issue with your parents that still haunts you…?

No, no. not my parents. They are the salt of the earth.  Well, it is a little bit them but not exactly….

Go ahead, tell me. It will make you feel much better. Isn’t this why you talk to a therapist after all.

Ok, yes, I’m going to take a deep breath, Here goes, It’s my name, doc, it’s my damn name. I feel so ashamed of it.

Your name? What’s wrong with ‘Gail’?

That’s the thing. Gail is just my middle name; it’s not my first name, the name everyone usually uses.

Oh, then what is your first name and why don’t you use it?

 Why does it make you feel shame?

It’s so awful, doc.  It’s hard to tell you. You will laugh at me. That’s why I never tell anyone.

Of course, I won’t laugh at you.  I’m a doctor.  I’m here to help.

It’s ‘Griselda’. Honest to God, don’t laugh!  My real first name is Griselda! And you know, like the Elvis Presley lyrics, it is always on my mind.

There, that wasn’t so hard.  Thanks for getting it out.

I can practically taste the nasty word in my mouth. Blah!

I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe you didn’t know that you are named after a woman who was   a character in folklore who represents patience and loyalty?  Griselda’s story is an allusion to the 'Book of Job' in The Bible and appears in The Canterbury Tales in 'The Clerk's Tale.

Wow, Doc, you know a lot about embarrassing old names. It may sound impressive to you but not to me.  I had a boyfriend once who left me because his friends roared when they heard my name and made fun of me and of him for knowing me.  So much for loyalty. You don’t know how it feels as a 7 year old when the teacher calls out your name in class and everyone doubles up with laughter. The kids bullied me for years. That’s when I switched to ‘Gail’.

I understand but you aren’t the only one, Gail.

What do you mean, not the only one. Who else on earth is named Griselda?

I mean you are not the only one with a one-of-kind name. For instance, what do you think my name is?

 Besides Doctor Solomon? Besides Doctor H Solomon?

Yes, what do you think the H stands for?

Umm, Henry?

Nope. Less common than that.

Um, Hugh?

Still less common

Harvey? Harlan?

No and no.

Well, whatever it is, it can’t be as embarrassing as Griselda. Griselda sounds like the name of a grizzly bear.

You be the judge, Griselda. Are you ready? Don’t laugh.  It is ‘Hezekiah’. Hezekiah Solomon.

Hezekiah?  Oh, doc, I’m sorry. What kind of a name is that?

It’s my name since childhood.  It stems from the ancient Hebrew meaning "strengthen," Hezekiah means "God strengthens."

Well, that part sounds okay. The what it means part.

And it is not a curse. Like your name, Griselda, my name is not a curse, it is a gift. A great name is a gift that you and I share with the very few. It might help to try to listen with your wise heart not your judgmental ears when you hear someone’s name, even your own.

A gift not a curse. It won’t be easy. I’ll try.

Oh, there’s the buzzer. I have a call on the other line. Our time is up now but next time; make sure you book your appointment as Griselda, not Gail!

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