Google just gave me my first (hopefully, only shock) of the day. After being email MIA for a day, I checked my account and found one of those trusty Google alerts.  How delightful, I thought. Someone, somewhere had mentioned me. More evidence of my burgeoning fame!

But then, I read the message. It was inviting me to connect with myself. Huh?

There was a link; I clicked on it. I expected to be taken to Facebook, and I was, but not to my Facebook page. Instead of seeing me, I found myself looking at someone else.

First reaction: absolute shock. What is this? Who is this?? This intruder, this imposter, this person claiming my name!

For a few seconds there, I sputtered with indignation. Then it hit me. I grabbed my chest in shock. The awful, unassailable truth, it was right there before my eyes! I wasn’t alone in the world. Oh, no, no, NO! There was another Persia Walker!

Another me? Well, not quite. But close enough and so, so … words can’t describe it. Perhaps, for you Jane Does out there, encountering someone else with your name is as common as breathing. But for me, well, it just doesn’t happen.  Running into another Persia is unusual enough, but running into one who shares both my first and last name … why it never happens.

Not until today.

As the terrible truth sunk in, my sense of uniqueness was ershüttert.

Then, my resolve hardened. I would take a stand. Obviously, there could be only one Persia Walker in the world, and it was going to be me. I would write her and demand that she do the right thing: change her name. I mean, really, just who did she think she was? I’ve had this name for a long time , (we won’t discuss how long), and have worked hard to build a reputation (we won’t discuss what kind), and I won’t have some little chippee come along and reap the benefits! (What benefits? Don’t ask.).

But then I really took a look at her photo and my heart melted. My goodness, she’s adorable. Cute as a button. Bright and smart and talented and … grrrr! Obviously, just like me. A worthy sharer of my unique appellation.

The voice of maturity spoke up.

Lots of folks around the world share names, don’t they? You’ve simply joined the club. You certainly got to enjoy the privilege (or illusion) of being a one-and-only for quite some time, didn’t you? But now you’ve learned the truth. Deal with it. Adapt. Be strong. Perhaps, this is just the Universe’s way of telling you that it’s time you learn to share your toys–I mean, name.

The Universe talking? Through Google? And Facebook?

They got the job done, didn’t they?

Point taken.

So, being the marvelous, generous, warm-hearted and welcoming person I am, I decided to take the high road. Instead of demanding that she change her name, I sent her a friendship request.

After all, we rarities, we Persia Walkers of the world, should most definitely stick together.