Saying “goodbye and happy holidays” to Mr Patin, I opened the door and you were both there, in the hallway. I was going to ask you if you came to get a prescription or if there was something wrong with your pregnancy.
But I didn’t have time. LittleShrimp and her big blue eyes came forward, handing me a golden package, a twist of bolduc taped to it. I leaned over to grab it, said thank you. I had tears in my eyes, I stammered thank you thank you very much. You said “well, we’re not going to bother you, you have a lot of people in the waiting room, eh, happy holidays”. And you left. And I went back to my office.
I’ve always found it a little weird to receive gifts from his patients. Chocolates wrapped in gift paper or in pretty little cardboard bags. No bottle, or very rarely, my patients see me as sobriety incarnate. Sometimes plants. Office decorations. Paints. Gifts…
Secretary doesn’t like it, she feels like they’re buying her, so next time they can access Sesame: the quick-date-right-now, plus she doesn’t eat any sweets , never. Personally, it often makes me suspicious, I wonder what the expected consideration is in exchange for it.
At the beginning of my installation, I went to MmeCadeau, who offered me a bottle, a cake, chocolates every three months. In exchange she felt she had the right to hold me for ages when she was fine and I was overwhelmed. I felt manipulated, staying put me uncomfortable, and late, and I didn’t really see how to get out of it… And then one day, I refused to write “cholesterol” on the prescription. blood test, because it was useless and in addition I had already given in three months before. And she left me. And I was relieved.
I have since discovered the little golden packets given by Little Shrimp, which are offered because we were the only positive and supportive voice in the midst of stressful appointments with specialists during a difficult pregnancy, because we listened when the next pregnancy is gone, because we’re there as soon as PetiteCrevette isn’t going well, because today we rejoiced together regarding this pregnancy that is holding, and that seems so easy… Little packages that don’t expect nothing in return, small packages given with a smile.
And at this particular end of the year, many boxes of chocolates landed on my desk, with small notes.
Little gifts and little words to say thank you for these years spent together.
Little gifts and little words that make you cry.
Little gifts and little words to gently say goodbye.
