April marks my little stores twenty fifth anniversary. How could all this time have past so quickly?
I've always felt so blessed to be in a business surrounded by wonderful women all day every day. Many of my customers have been with me from the very beginning. Twenty five year old friendships that would have never blossomed if it hadn't been for this store.
I've always said I have the most wonderful customers in the world and I really believe that I do.
But it wasn't until I opened up to my blog readers and shared about my cancer and now about our son's ALS that I truly understood how special you all are. Your outpouring of love and support overwhelms me. Such wonderful caring dear women that are so good and loving.
I hardly feel worthy.
Sweet, sweet women who come up to me and put their arms around me and without saying a word, I know. I know they care and are hurting for me.
When I first shared about my cancer my family said, "I can't believe you did that". You see I'm an extremely private person so telling the world that I was facing surgery was so unlike me. But I just felt compelled to share, to open up to you, my friends. And what I got in return was nothing short of a miracle. I literally felt your love and prayers as they wheeled me into that operating room. Bill too felt a peace and we both knew I would be fine.
Now, looking back on that experience I believe that God was preparing me for this journey with Jeff. He knew it would be tough and he knew I wasn't ready. No one can go through something like this without faith and the love and support of family and friends. He lead me to reach out in a way I never had before. He taught me to draw from the strength of others. He taught me how important it is to connect with one another.
As you know I believe everything that happens to us happens for a reason.
Insecure, private, "dumb bell" English taking me, writing a blog for the world to read? Really. How bazaar is that? What if I'd never started this blog? I can't even imagine going through this without you all here by my side.
I know I'm rambling here. But today as Barbara came up to me and hugged me while saying that I didn't know her but that she was a blog reader and just needed to come give me a hug in person - at that very moment I got it. After twenty five years I got it. It wasn't about fabric, or sales goals or being on the cover of quilt magazines. It was about the connection we all feel for one another as loving, praying, caring human beings.
So with tears streaming down my face I just want to say thank you. Thank you for caring and praying and being there for me and my family. I love and appreciate you all more than you will ever know.
Encourage one another,
