CATALINA CLAVIJO
ESL 7
UNTITLED
For a long time, I
thought there was a
wonderful story around
my name. I felt excited
many times imagining
how they were trying to
choose my name among
many. What made my
name so special? What
was the meaning to
my family? I wanted to
discover that enigma
behind my name.
When I asked my Mom
about why they chose my
name, her answer was
simple and a little disap-
pointing to me. It was
the name of her favorite
character in a local TV
show at the moment, the
one she used to watch
32
in the afternoon before
her habitual nap.
Naturally, I was
unhappy with my Mom’s
response. It was sad to
know that there was not
any effort or discussion
to choose the name her
little daughter would
take forever. One day, I
was going to work with
my Dad and he started
to call me “Mi Catica”
while he was patting my
back. You are my strong
and brave Catica, like
Catalina the Great, like
your name, the power-
ful name you have. I
was confused about
that, was my name a
character in a TV show
or Catalina the Great?
My Dad explained to
me, when my Mom told
him about my name,
he agreed because the
queen was the first thing
to come into his head.
Anyway, I believe my
name has a great impact
on my life. I am strong
as my Dad said, raised
with values and goals
that my Mom has taught
me. Maybe I won’t be as
important as them but I
am for the people who
love me and for whom
I love.