In Oak Island, North Carolina, we were visiting our good friends and enjoying a few days at the beach. We're exploring getaways for some of the winter months here in Vermont. We certainly love it here but sometimes the winters get a little long so we'll need an escape for a few weeks. No, it's not super-hot there in the wintertime but it's definitely warmer than the winters here at home. You never know though with global warming, we may be the new North Carolina, but I digress.
On this trip, I tried to pack light and only took one book. Usually, it takes me a week or so to finish a book so I thought I'd be fine would just the one. Little did I know that the book I chose, The Metropolis, would be one of my favorite books of the year. If you haven’t read it, please put it on your list. The Metropolis - One heck of a book. Thus, I finished it in 2 days and needed another book. Unfortunately, there were no libraries close by so I was trying to figure out what to do.
After dropping my lovely bride off at the beach mid-day, I promised to come back later after the sun was a little less direct overhead so it would not burn my skin more than it had already done. Knowing there were no libraries nearby, I happened to drive by a thrift store. I drove past and then pulled into the next turn around and went back. I know that thrift stores have a lot of used books so I thought maybe I could find something that I liked.
The smart guy that I am, I was right. They did have some and I took my time perusing the rack of all their books. Now as I was looking, I could hear a woman in the front of the store happily speaking to everyone who came to the counter. She was an older woman but smartly dressed in fancy glasses, several bracelets, and a very stylish bleached blonde haircut. As an introvert, I usually like to stay on the side and listen to people. I was glad to not be in a rush because this woman, as I said, made my day.
Several women were in front of me with a wide variety of knickknacks that they liked. The amazing clerk was full of life. She commented on everything that the women were buying and said how much she loved their purchases. With a big smile on her face, she made every person who came into the store feel like the most important person in the world. Taking her time, she chatted with them and commented on how lovely all their purchases were. She took the time to grab tissue paper, wrapped all their breakables and placed them neatly into a bag.
Normally as a very impatient person (and at times, super grumpy, just ask my lovely bride), I would have wanted her to hurry up so that I could head on down the road. But it was fun to watch her.
She had a gift. She made each person feel important. And none of us were buying anything extremely extravagant but that didn't matter to her. Time spent with each person was significant.
You could tell she loved what she was doing, meeting with people and just making them happy. She made my day, I tell you.
I got a life lesson in a thrift store in Oak Island, North Carolina. There are good people everywhere you go. You never know where you’ll find them. When I run into them, I want to make sure I appreciate them.
On this day, I did.
Aw, that’s a great story. Makes you want to go visit the town.