Journal December 2025 Release - Flipbook - Page 53
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and from school with Sílvia and her siblings in the turquoise Vemaguet that puffed
smoke and smelled of fuel – and how she loved being with him all the same. She
told me about his humble origins, which never hindered her admiration, as well as
their long, joyful conversations about politics, poetry, and life. Knowing Sílvia, it
was clear to me how relevant this grandfather was in forming her preferred
identity – this very identity she seeks to strengthen in this unfolding alternative
story. So, I asked her:
Adriana: Sílvia, would you like to play a little game? It is like a ‘make-believe’…
You pretend to be your grandfather, and I’ll talk with him about you. How
does that sound?
Sílvia (laughing brightly): Oh, why not!
Adriana: Okay. I’ll ask you to stay connected with your grandfather – his
memories, your shared stories, the sound of his voice, the range of his
gestures, the sparkle in his eyes… and, before starting the conversation
with him, I need you to tell me how he would like to be addressed. After all,
it will be my first time speaking with him, and I wouldn’t want to make a
poor first impression! (laughter)
Sílvia: Oh, you can call him Álvaro, or Mr. Álvaro. As you wish. He was not formal
about those things…
Adriana: All right. So, Mr. Álvaro, I am Adriana, a psychologist, and a friend of your
beloved granddaughter Sílvia. She has been telling me so much about you
that I got curious and asked if we could have a chat. Is that okay?
Sílvia’s Álvaro: Yes, of course!
Adriana: I imagine you know all about what she’s going through these days… and I
wonder, what would you say to your dear granddaughter at this moment in
her life?
Sílvia’s Álvaro (with a puzzled expression): I don’t know…
Narractivating Conversations with the Internalised-Other: A Therapy with a Little Bit of Fairy Dust.
Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, December 2025 Release, p. 45-65.
www.journalnft.com
