It’s been almost a year that I’ve been working at the yarn store in some sort of capacity. (I actually taught my first class ever on my birthday.) In that time, I’ve grown to love so many of the people that frequent the store. I think that is ultimately the reason that I decided to take over the store, I loved all of these people and I just couldn’t let go. They still needed this place and so did I.
I think the thing is that when your heart gets tangled up with all these people it becomes open to sharing their joy and their pain. It’s so exciting when someone brings in their new baby or comes to show me an engagement ring. But it’s also so devastating when someone comes in reeling from bad news.
I have a customer who has cancer. I hate cancer with every fiber in my being. I hate watching someone suffer and there be nothing that I can do about it. Some days she doesn’t even feel like knitting. It’s the scariest thing in the world and it is SO unfair.
Yesterday, another customer of mine lost her brand new grandson. He was born with tremendous birth defects and died in his mothers arms. I grieve today for a baby that I never knew, whose parents I never knew.
Things get messy when you allow others into your heart. But I think that’s really the joy of life, sharing it with others. I think I’m truly lucky to have the opportunity.
Category: yarn store 5 comments »
September 13th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
I think you’re right – when we isolate ourselves from others, our own joy is diminished. And on the flipside: It feels good to know somebody cares when you’re going through a tough time.
September 13th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
I know exactly what it is like to be there for so many people wishing you could make everything right for every person who has a problem. Sometimes I dont think I can bear anymore bad or sad news. Then God shows me it is His strength that enables me to hold someone and cry with them or to dance around the room rejoicing with them and just be there for them and let them know God is a good God and in our weakness, HIS strength is manifest! There are allot of hurting people, and even happy people out there who just need a friend to share the good, the bad, and the ugly with. Life is not always fair like you said, but praise God we are not in this life alone, we have the Greater One! And you are blessed to be in the position to be a friend to these people. At least you care, there are so many out their who dont even care about others. You have a good heart Ali, God wants to use you in a big way!
September 13th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
I feel this so often, as though by letting in all this joy and community I am forced to let in all it’s pain. Still, when I think about it, I’d rather have the pair than nothing at all. Otherwise, I would have never met you.
Such sorrow. Such joy. Hurts, don’t it?
September 13th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
Amen.
September 14th, 2006 at 10:43 am
You will become like a hair stylist…you’ll become involved, and sometimes that will be really hard. but then you also will know you are truly part of a community.