Good morning! How can another week have gone by?!? This is such a fun time to have a bookstore and toy shop - I love trying to provide quality gifts for you to give, and a store where your kids can "let loose!"
I wish you could have observed Camden & I when we flew back into Lincoln last Thursday night. The incredible pride that I had in my mind for actually pulling off a trip (not losing tickets or missing connections) as we gathered our suitcases in Lincoln. Little did I realize how important a teeny bit of information would've been for me to store in my head - where we had parked. You would've all just rolled your eyes to see a little whoseit pulling his Cars backpack and me pulling my suitcase in circle after circle of the parking garage in the dark, continuously pushing our car beeper button to try to hear the car beckon us. When Camden suddenly heard (two stories down) our car saying, "Welcome home, you two!" we just couldn't be more excited, yelling back over down two flights, "Hi car!!" Details, details, how hard that tiny word is for your Susan!!! Thank you for letting me constantly try to pull off running a store, when all of you know I'm just pretending to kind of have it together!!!
I saw one of the neatest children's books when I was in Billings. The title is The Gift of an Angel by Marianne Richmond. From now on - you all have a perfect book to give to new parents, or for baby baptisms, or just to your adult children about the angel God sent for them. "...Gathering His host of angels, the Lord considered them one by one. "I need a volunteer," He said, "to watch over this daughter or son...your role in the child's life, will gently unfold with the days. You'll be a protector, keeper, friend...and wise teacher of life's ways. You'll inspre the child to explore as only a little child can, with wide-eyed wonder and innocence, with impulsive abandon...." And near the end of the book, "One more thing, dear angel, before you go. Life is not always laughter and smiles...not all discovery and fun. There will be frightening times for sure when danger stirs alarm. It's then you must forget all else and protect this child from harm." And so it was at heaven's door as the angel prepared for flight that God said, "Be good and do your best," and hugged His angel tight. The pictures are beautiful. I can't wait to show you!
Next week is already Thanksgiving. May you have time to rest and be thankful for all that you do have to cherish. I know holidays are a difficult time for many of you. Thanksgiving week is when we found out that mom only had four weeks to live. Amazing, once again, how memories flood our minds when we don't want them to. Never forget God's promise, The peace that passes your understanding will never pass away. May you be a blessing to those that you meet, encouraging to others, finding joy in the details of your life. Thank you so much for all of your encouragement & business. You know we couldn't be here without you! I'll send a note next week of the fun events in Aurora on Friday evening (lighting up the square with all in attendance having bells to ring, bringing in the Christmas season). Stores in Aurora will be open until 8:00 next Friday night. I hope that you can bring your friends, relatives, family over to our stores!!!! Have a great Thanksgiving! Susan
Work cited:
Richmond, Marianne. The Gift of an Angel : For Parents Welcoming a New Child. Danbury: Marianne Richmond Studios, Incorporated, 2007.
