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You know, answers come to us when we least expect them, disguised usually.
I had been thinking of moving, since I hate to think of being here alone all winter again. But on Monday when I ran to mail the book proposal, I stopped by the little dress shop that is about 2 blocks from my house. The woman who owns it is a friend who told me earlier in the summer that she needed someone to do alterations for her. I helped her out a time or two. One day I took a pillow to her that I had made out of a scrap of old brocade curtain. She's always complaining about her uncomfortable stool she sits on when the store is not so busy. She loved the pillow. In the back of her store she has a consignment shop, and I have taken clothes to her in the past for resale. In June when I took the pillow to her she told me that she was moving to a bigger building across the street, because her business was growing so quickly, lots of consignment sales (she only takes the very best in) because of the economy. So this week, when I stopped by to see her, she said, "Let's talk."
The new shop will open the first week of September. I will be doing the alterations there in a room apart from the showroom, and also I will help her do displays, decorations, etc. and I will spend a lot of time in the shop, since I will have my own separate area. Then we started talking about accessories, like the pillow, like placemats...we talked for a long time. It suddenly occurred to me that this is an answer of sorts. I need something to occupy my time. I worked non stop except summers, for 37 years. When I retired, we were going to travel, but death happened, and so for two winters I have sat here, nose stuck to the computer, all alone, with no goal beyond writing deadlines. Things they are a'changin', and for the better I think. Alone, I tend to stress about many things, none of which are really worth my stress. If I have something to fill my time, and a goal, then I might be stressing less. And I can work my own hours, and any money to be made by alterations or for anything I might include in the merchandise, like pillows...then that's mine. And she'll pay for any decorating I do. What's not to like about that? It is about a 5 minute walk from my house, through the park if I choose that route, by road in a vehicle in winter, it will take about a minute. And I will be working with a friend. So I think I will be doing this, and I think it is an answer to my questionable winter. If I don't like it, I can walk away. So, problem solved, ulcer, begone.
We all need something for ourselves, something that solely belongs to us, but only if we like it. I have already put together an idea for a wall hanging to go with the pillows and the table runner I'll start with. Fun stuff, I think. My mourning days are over, and though I miss him every day, Bob is not here. I can now remember him with a smile, and not fret because I am alone. And I can still write and paint when I want to. Ethan will be starting school, and won't be able to come spend weeks with me, nor I with him. So I need a life, and it fell right in my lap. I have a feeling you all have been sending good thoughts my way.
Medicine is working, I have had no serious burning sensation beneath my ribs. It does make me a little lethargic, but that might go away, I seem to remember. Today, the spinning top is slowing down. And I am thinking about my tomorrows with a smile that I did not have last week. Wonders never cease, you know. They just happen.
Another wonderful surprise today, I got an unexpected package in the mail and it weighed a ton. It was a huge Peggy Martin rose, planted already in a pot heavy with dirt, all ready to put in a special place in my yard by the weekend. It was from a writer friend in Arizona. He's moving, and so he gave me the rose. It is a wonderful climber and rebloomer. I can't wait to get it planted. Hopefully it will bloom again for fall.
Ahhhhh, life is good.
God's Warrior
So many answered prayers, Sharon, and I am so happy for you. I look forward to hearing blow by blow descriptions of your new adventure with pictures too, if that is possible. Wonderful news, my friend. My gosh, you are soooo talented!!!
