Gillian... with a G.

My name is Gillian. My first name is the subject of this episode. Gillian, is pronounced with a J sound... impossible you say? Well, lets just go back to Mrs. Crandle's 1st grade class where I learned a little piece of info that would prove me to be smarter than dozens of substitutes, bank tellers, and telemarketers to come. Awe yes, I learned the alphabet. 26 glorious letters with pictures and sounds to match. Daily I was victorious, G is for Giraffe! Looking around each time thinking... see I told ya. That year I was recognized with an award in front of my whole school but I went home in tears when my name was mispronounced. I remember the look on my dad's face and where I was standing in our house when I delivered my proposal. I was 6 so my dad was pretty impressed when I explained the necessary changes in my name. Either we change the G to a J or my new name shall be Stephanie. Nobody ever got the name Stephanie wrong. Needless to say, he would not change my name, and I went on to receive that look from my dad several times through the years. It was a look that I think of now as the "awe Gillian" look... it was one of affirmation, as if he approved of my spirit, or loved me anyway. Now in my ripe ol' age of 28, I am thankful for the name I was given, and as a teacher; the opportunity to butcher names and the self esteem of kids just like me for years to come... just kidding... kind of.