Story of the Day, June 20, 2016

Today was definitely Monday. And although I COULD find a high point it would be a stretch. I guess my high point was I got to eat leftover smoked chicken cooked by "Two Cooking Dads" for Saturday's concert. It was just as good as Saturday. But, boy, was today tough. Began with me arriving early to clean up the concert mess from Saturday only to realize I was locked out of my own store:). Yes, it's Monday. So what I REALLY want to share is how amazing Friday was. My morning started with my sweet young single mom friend @melanieyepma showing up with her 3 kiddos ALL WEARING THE CUTEST HATS! They were headed west on vacation to visit family AND THEY CHOSE TO EAT WITH ME. I'm the lucky girl. I gave them exactly what they wanted, candy for the road, demanded a picture, and prayed for safe travels while standing in a circle in my New York (one butt kitchen) to which her oldest responded, "praying again? This is the third time!" I quickly reminded her that we could never pray enough. What a great lesson for us all and how I needed it today. They got on their way and lo and behold the dashing damsel @tampaxoxo Andrea Conway showed up ...first time ever. An absolute best friend in middle school! She was visiting her folks in Huntsville and drove out for coffee and conversation. She reminded me of fun times growing up that had been overshadowed in my mind by darkness. Thank you! Sometimes another's perception is all that's needed to shift perspective of a situation. I'll never really understand why they come but oh how grateful I am they do. Sometimes it feels like I'm living the dream like Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams when he said, "if you build it, they will come." So I'm holding onto Friday's stories Of the day and singing Annie. "The sun'll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow will be a brighter, better day:) ‪#‎storyoftheday‬ ‪#‎myfieldofdreams‬ ‪#‎friendsforever‬

Story of the Day , Friday, June 3, 2016

It's the weekend! Yay! And tonight's our first concert of the summer. The next three Saturday nights will be fun filled events from 6-8 at the store. But I wanted to wrap up our week with my logger friend Jason Moon. I met Jason when I opened the store three years ago. I watched him pull that big ole log truck right into the lot, pull himself down, and come inside for a Mountain Dew and a pack of Marlboro Lights. He had a winsome smile and legs that went on forever. My granddaddy would have called him "a long talk drink of water:)" Over the years I got to know Jason. I would ask questions about his life and family. You can learn a lot with a few short questions when you've made people feel safe enough to open up. Sometimes Jason's route takes him a different direction from the store and I might go months without a visit. I knew his wife was battling breast cancer so I thought of him often and prayed for his family when I did. Recently he returned from a long absence to report to me he buried his wife two weeks ago. Men can have such a direct way of communicating that pierces your heart but I new underneath there were layers of grief from a life built together. I've spent the last month making sure I asked different questions like, "you look terrible, are you eating? Or I forgot to pray for your family on Mother's Day but I wanted you to know you were only heart." I've fed Jason a couple of times and Thomas even bought his breakfast once he knew of his loss. I've also made sure I hug Jason....physical touch makes a person feel alive when they are hurting and alone. Jesus touched people during his earthly ministry. Who can you touch today to encourage...a smile, a kind word, a prayer, a hug...it makes all the difference in the world to know someone cares. ‪#‎storyoftheday‬ ‪#‎lovemyloggers‬‪#‎griefhurts‬

Story of the Day....Thursday, June 2, 2016

Probably the hardest part of my job is losing friends who became customers as well. Yesterday after work I attended the estate sale for Ms. Bonnie, who lived a atone's throw from the store. She passed away last fall. Her son Barry Kay played music at the store the previous spring. And I had the opportunity to meet her daughter during our flood victim relief collection when she brought a big bag of donations up to the store. But nothing prepared me to walk into the home of my friend who passed...to see her relics, her style of decor, her kitchen where she cooked. It was an emotional experience. I made my choices carefully to have her keepsakes her in the store and at home. I led a ministry at the local Methodist church for three years. Ms. Bonnie volunteered every chance she could. It reminded me of the importance of leaving a lasting legacy. Every time I think of Ms. Bonnie I am reminded of her servant heart, her kind spirit, and her devotion to God. What are you doing to leave s lasting legacy for your family and your community. ‪#‎leavealegacy‬ ‪#‎storyoftheday‬