I have worked at The Feminist Bookshop for three years now. I have loved every moment of it, the ups and the downs. Some days I can not imagine doing anything else with the rest of my life. Today is one of those days.
There are some customers I will never forget. Two women came in today with their son. The little boy was just gorgeous and having a fabulous time looking through our books. He asked me with perfect manners to get a book down for him. While the son and one Mum happily browsed children’s books in the corner the other mother came and sat at the front desk to talk to me. Her partner has a terminal illness and she wanted some books for their son to explain the journey the family will soon be on. I could not give them exactly the right book (because it hasn’t been written) but I could give them a range of appropriate and useful books.
I am sitting here now with tears in my eyes. There are some customers I will never forget. These two women had a fierce strength about them, a dignity and absolute love for their son. In a world that doesn’t believe same sex couples should even have children two women put their son first and walked into the bookshop to find resources to help him understand and grieve. That takes a lot of courage, first to accept that you/your partner is dying and then to prepare your family for the heartache that is to come. I sit here with tears in my eyes for complete strangers. I can not imagine what this family will go through but I know that The Feminist Bookshop has just made their journey a tiny bit easier. Books have the power to start conversations that are too hard to start alone, the power to affirm experiences that are alien, the power to let you know that you aren’t alone and that the hardest stuff will pass.
Some days I can not imagine doing anything else with the rest of my life. Today is one of those days.
Oh Kat, I just read your entry, and I too have tears in my eyes. That was beautifully written, touching and powerful. I have had similar experiences in the bookshop, and I feel the same way. Thanks for sharing. Emma.
ReplyDeleteEmma and Kat...did you know The Feminist Bookshop is celebrating 35 years this year. There is a history on the website, and the shop began in 1974. I have been at the shop for 28 years and have felt touched nearly every day. Many people come to the shop looking for help or guidance, and feel they can trust anyone here with their innermost thoughts and fears. It may be a disclosure of sexual abuse, someone suffering from a serious illness, escaping from domestic violence, or someone trying to find a creative way to divorce. Because of the trust people have in us our survival is very important. And of course sometimes someone is just looking for a good read for their holiday! Gail
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