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Bertha Venation

Bertha Venation's Journal
Bertha Venation's Journal
August 11, 2016

What gift should I give?

Hi, all! I hope everyone is well.

I've known Carol for thirty years. I met her the day I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. She was an aide on my ward. She took me under her wing and helped me get through my terror at being there (and my terror at the reasons I was there). About a year later, I became her first psychotherapy client.

She saved my life, quite literally. I was suicidal for many years. She guided me through a rocky recovery and, together with my baby nephew, kept me from killing myself.

I saw Carol for 13 years, then moved to the east coast. I came home about three months ago, and am seeing Carol again. It's very different; it's like talking over my life - and even hers - with an old, sweet friend.

September 30 will be the 30th anniversary of my admission to that hospital, the anniversary of the day I met Carol. You may think I'm being silly, sappy, ridiculous, whatever. This is important. I can't overemphasize how important she is to me.

I want to get her a special gift, but I honestly have no idea what to give her. Can you offer suggestions? Thanks.

Profile Information

Name: Bertha. What else?
Gender: Female
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Home country: home, sweet home
Current location: Fountain Valley, CA
Member since: Wed Oct 15, 2003, 09:30 PM
Number of posts: 21,484
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