A Library Mini Reunion

Update: I know the blog is problematic right now and loading very very slowly. I am getting most of your comments but not all. I have reached out to my IT person and am hoping they will be able to help me fix all of this soon. In the meantime, I appreciate your patience.

The other night I had the privilege of speaking at the dedication of a new Teen Zone at my town public library. This special area of the library was revamped and created with money raised after a former library employee died last year and her family requested that donations be made in her memory to the library. What a wonderful thing they did! And what a wonderful event it was.

Connie was an avid reader and long time patron when I hired her to work part time at the library back in the early 1990s. She was a model employee, a fierce advocate for the library, and a wonderful friend. We had so much fun together back in the day and Tuesday night was like a mini library reunion as several of my former coworkers were in attendance for the dedication.

In what can only be called great timing, Hannah texted me just as I was arriving at the program. When I realized so many of my dear friends were there, I told her to jump in her car and head to the library, because I knew she would want to see the women who supported me in so many ways. They saw me through my pregnancy, my return to work when Hannah was 3 months old, and those early days of being a working mom. They were there for me when my first marriage fell apart and they celebrated with me when I married Dale. Hannah spent a lot of time at the library when she was a little one and these friends of mine were part of her village and I knew she’d want to see them.

I’m so glad Dale snapped this photo of Hannah and I with my friend Anne, who was the Children’s Librarian for many years. I haven’t seen Anne for many years and it was fantastic to catch up and reconnect. When Hannah arrived at the library after our brief text exchange, Anne remarked how lucky I am to have Hannah live so close and I know she feels this keenly as her own daughter lives in Kentucky. While I know I’m lucky, it was a perfect reminder to never take this for granted.

The whole evening was a wonderful reunion of friends and a beautiful tribute to Connie. Life in a small town can be truly special sometimes.