Crumbs From the Corner: Adventures in Woolgathering

Friday, April 25, 2008

Library Lady



"Everybody, my friend, everybody lives for something better to come. That's why we want to be considerate of every man- who knows what's in him, why he was born and what he can do?"
-Maxim Gorky

We went along to the library last night and sat for close to two hours just reading and researching our respective favourite subjects.
I was not watching the clock, nor was Spouse and while I was burrowing my way through a shelf of magazines on the other side of the room I heard him advise a librarian that we were just leaving.
It seemed that we were indeed about to exit the building because they were going to close the building. Rather than inform them of my particular desire to remain in the library during the nightly period of closure, I scrambled to put some items back in their place while Spouse went downstairs to check out our chosen books. As a result he reached the main desk without me by his side.
The librarian, who we have not conversed with but who we see weekly through our habit of unfailingly and routinely taking copious amounts of books and films, looked at the computer as Spouse's card was scanned. She was shocked.
"Nothing on hold?" she asked, feeling that something was not right. We regularly have a selection on order.
"No, not today."
"How come?" She just had to know.
"The weather is much better and we've been walking a lot more. There's not much time for films."
She seemed to accept that very reasonable reply. Something else was missing, though.
"And your wife! Where is she? You two are always together!" By that point I am certain the librarian was sincerely doubting it was the same fellow at all. The pattern had been mysteriously fractured.
I emerged just then, rather breathless from running down three flights of stairs, and she smiled.
"There she is!" she enthused. "I was wondering."
We thanked her for considering us, and went on our way into the night. It was a most surprising pleasure to be missed, and to think that perhaps, after all, somebody had almost been expecting the pair of us. For the first time in quite a long while we thought that our presence had not gone unheeded.
Of course it works both ways; it means that we all ought to be thoughtful and observant, for we simply never know when a simple, single word to a stranger might be the flower or the thorn that changes their day.

8 comments:

julochka said...

that is such a sweet story. it's true that we never know when we leave a mark on someone else's life. wonderful when it's a good way. happy weekend to both you and Spouse! :-) /j

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Thank you kindly, Julie. As they say, words are important and we can't bring them back once they're out.

Hope you have a great weekend too.

Beth said...

As always a wonderful story of golden moments that we sometimes overlook. I enjoy that very much in your writing--you treasure everything (so do I). I haven't been keeping up with my blog reading while on vacation but everyone else is napping right now getting ready for the wedding and so I thought I'd take a minute to peak at yours.

Pappy said...

Hi The, Quality always beats quantity. You always go for the quality. Thanks for your humorous looks at the little things in life. See you soon.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Beth, thank you. You always find very warm things to say, to give me more confidence in my writing. Glad you stole a few moments!
Texican, just as I said to Beth, thank you for the bit of motivation! I'm not always sure I said what I meant to say- I sometimes tear my writing to pieces with analysis and examination, if I'm honest about it, and I very much need to hear things like this. Thank you.

Pappy said...

You are an excellent writer. Beth is an excellent writer also. I enjoy reading both posts everyday. Glad you stopped by this morning. Your comments are always salient.

mouse (aka kimy) said...

librarians as a rule are quite observant....

"we simply never know when a simple, single word to a stranger might be the flower or the thorn that changes their day." - truer words were never spoken (or would it be written?)

thank you. hope you are having a wonderful weekend! xxmouse

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Texican, I too enjoy Beth's blog- and this week she's regaling us all with tales from Chile. It's wonderful. Armchair travelling at its very best. Thanks for your words.
Kimy, they're supposed to be observant but where I am, they're quite numb to everything including books. It was a nice change and brought us hope. I can't complain about the library itself though, it's one of the best we've had.

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