Yesterday, I was reminded once again how very special it is to feel like you’re a real part of a community. The Wake Forest Walgreens went out of its way to “showcase” the work (or mission/purpose) of this local author. I was awed! There was a special spot carved out for me at the very front of the store, a new table, pretty decorations, comfortable chairs, nice pens to sign books with, and they even bought several books to raffle off to their customers. And they advertised the event. All I had to do was show up and talk to people and swap with them some of the most difficult chapters of our respective lives–and all of it was indeed a privilege. It was a great day–so great, in fact, that the two hour event that was advertised, and started late morning, did not finish up completely until almost dinnertime (though I did disappear late afternoon for a meal).
I had two special friends with me from the group of younger woman who have been an integral part of my life. They helped by talking to people as they passed by, giving out mission/purpose cards and providing comic relief as they faded out sporadically to look through (and, yes, even try on) the colorful Halloween stuff all around the store–the most notable of which was probably the Medusa snake head with light-up red eyes that sat on my immediate right the whole day long. I don’t think any one of us will soon forget our day together yesterday.
The woman who is charge of the cosmetics counter at this Walgreens is the one who arranged to have my memoir put in the store. She went through breast cancer around seven years ago, and employer was very supportive of her and her family. And now they are showing me, some random person from the community, support too as I branch out to share hope/encouragement with others who are going through such big things. This company seems to understand that community is so very important, especially when it feels like life’s falling apart. Yet, that’s exactly when it’s tempting for many of us to pull in and away from those around us. I don’t think any of us really likes to feel like a mess, much less look like one. At the end of the day though, we all are–we’re a mess, more so at certain times than others. And we need our community to stand by us and maybe even help put us back together again.
There was another employee at this Walgreens who went out of his way to help. He’s a student at our local seminary and is quite savvy at using all of the technology stuff about which I am generally clueless. And then there’s the manager of this store who took the time to meet with me and hear my story, who okayed all of this, and who even offered to help me get my story of hope into other stores. I really don’t know how to respond to any of this except with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Yep, having a community is big, big deal–it’s a game-changer. I wish none of us would ever again buy into the lie that we’re in this life alone. Though it really does feel that way sometimes, even lots of times, it’s just not true. I believe God’s there, always there; and I believe too that God places just the right people all around us, if only we’d slow down and “still” ourselves and take the time to see that they’re there.
Two such people showed up for me yesterday. My high school drama partner, B.C., with whom I recently reconnected at my 25th reunion came from my hometown of Louisburg; he is the friend I asked for prayer over in a previous post as he continues to battle some serious health issues. And another friend, one of my precious Super Target girls whom I’ll refer to as K.M., came too; and she also knows all too well what it feels like when your very own body seems to turn completely against you. Both of these friends came and spent time with me (and also bought two more books to give away as gifts). I thank God for faithful friends–for community.
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