GONE WITH THE WIND- LIFE LESSON
It was late afternoon on the 31st of December, last week. Like most of the years I’ve been given, I try to squeeze every last ounce of the time allotted to me. I was in my office pushing hard up against the end of the year and wringing every last drop of production out of it that I could muster.
I do, however, have a kryptonite that can pull me away from a task quicker than you can say “daddy’s girl”.
For more years than our youngest can remember she’s been going with me to Barnes and Noble. Specifically the one at a place called Kierland Commons that isn’t too far from our house. I dragged her with me when she was young, of course it didn’t take much coercing since she loves all things books like her dad. Now that she’s older she drags me… not that it takes too much in the way of convincing the book hound in me.
That last day of the year was significant for more than just being the 365th of the year, it was a day of dread for my youngest. It was the beginning of more change, and one in particular that she wasn’t remotely looking forward to. Although she’d been reminding me about the significance of that day for some time, I’d forgotten about in my haste of life and work.
“You wanna go to Barnes and Noble with me?” she asked.
I looked up and over the top of my readers, “Uhhh, right now?” I asked.
She looked at me with her stunning brown eyes that landed her the nickname of “Button eyes” when she was little, “Yeah, dad… our Barnes and Noble is closing today, remember?”
I nodded, “That’s right. Yeah, let’s go,” I said with a new sense of priorities and with the melting heart of a daddy.
While my daughter is young, she’s old enough to know when something special is ending, like another year in this life.
We talked about all the times we’d hung out our local bookstore and the times spent walking around the outdoor mall afterward as I drove us to the place she has driven herself regularly to do homework. I’d drink coffee on our walks, she’d swig the sweetened tea in the warm months and hot chocolate in the cold ones.
The grand bookstore was somber. The employees, some of which my daughter knows personally, wore rectangle faces with lips hanging lower at the outside edges. The fifty percent off shelves looked like the Grinch had just made a haul, pre-heart growing that is…
An unprofessional voice came across the PA system, “Good afternoon Barnes and Noble shoppers. Please wrap up your selections and make your way to the checkout station… This Barnes and Noble will be closing in twenty minutes… forever…
“Awwwwe,” my daughter said with a melancholy smile.
“Everything changes, huh, babe?” I said as I thumbed through the $4.99 CD racks.
We got our last drink at the Starbucks inside the vanishing Barnes and Noble, as much for old times sake as anything else…
Every five minutes a new voice would come on the speaker system and thank us for the support over the last twelve years and remind us that in a few precious minutes their store would be gone permanently … like one of the popular books they sold so often titled, “Gone With The Wind”.
You don’t have to look far or wait for a new year to get another life lesson. Things we cherish all change… Only God alone doesn’t…
The lesson from the closing bookstore that my youngest and I had spent so much time together in was easy for me; I was reminded that the best things in this life are measured within the heart and can’t be calculated by a number… or a building.
To be honest it was never the bookstore… it was always the precious time with my daughter…
Sometimes it takes change and loss to remind us how much we already have. A good reminder to start the new year off with I think.
Bill (cycelguy)
Monday, January 5, 2015 @ 3:27 am
it was never the bookstore it was the precious time with my daughter. Can’t say it any better than that. That’s called “a man who has right priorities.” Sad about B & N though.
Caleb Suko
Monday, January 5, 2015 @ 4:45 am
I’ve got one of those book-lovers. She seems to just swallow books whole! We don’t have any Barne’s and Noble’s in Ukraine and I guess we never will. For us spending time together is about going for walks, lots of places to walk here, and I don’t that will ever disappear!
Sharon
Monday, January 5, 2015 @ 11:12 am
This post just made me sad. I remember when Border’s closed. I’m afraid that bookstores in general may be a dying breed? Sure, I do a lot of book shopping online, but I still like visiting books up close and personal in a bookstore. I like to see all the colors and covers and titles. I like having everything in one place to peruse – instead of relying on “rabbit trails” online. I like the smell of the books themselves.
That being said, this post made my heart warm. For you have indeed found the secret treasure. The time spent with our children. I still treasure the times when I get to go with my oldest (and married now) son to a LA Kings hockey game. The game is great – for I do indeed love hockey – but it’s the uninterrupted 7 or 8 hours with my son that is so precious. And then, I also enjoy the time just yakking with my other son, also all-grown-up, over everything and nothing. These times are what make life special.
It’s sort of a grand lesson on letting go of what maybe doesn’t matter, but holding on to and appreciating the things that do. And the things that are the best things aren’t things – they’re people.
And Jesus!
GOD BLESS!
Betty Draper
Monday, January 5, 2015 @ 1:13 pm
I think it sad too that good bookstores are closing. We have great memories of taking our kids and sitting back in the kid section looking through tons of books. Then later as they mature into the teen section. Then in later years going with our grandkids…especially the ones who spent most of their growing up years in a remote tribe with no bookstores or libraries around. Even though there is sadness in the change it can also be exciting to build new memories a new way, when the old get going, creativity kicks in. Nothing can take those great memories even when you build the new ones..
Lisa notes
Monday, January 5, 2015 @ 3:40 pm
Aw, such a sad story. 🙁 I hate that we’re losing bookstores, although I admit I browse in them a lot more than I buy. What a special memory that you’ll have with your daughter through the years and then on the final day. You’re a great dad, Floyd. Yes, a great way to start a new year.
Barb Raveling
Monday, January 5, 2015 @ 6:07 pm
That’s sad that your Barnes and Nobles is closing! And wonderful that you have those memories with your daughters. It makes you wonder how important it will be in the future to be published by a regular publisher with so many bookstores closing. Hope you guys had a great Christmas.
Lynn Morrissey
Monday, January 5, 2015 @ 10:23 pm
Oh Floyd, this is so bittersweet and touching. Frankly, I usually hate change, and I certainly lament the demise of the local bookstore. Funny. I was just at B& N today, and it is one of the last big bookstores in our city. A favorite tiny one closed on Chrismtas Eve. And tonight, we were watching the old Tom Hanks movie, “You’ve Got Mail.” The big, bad Fox bookstore killed off the little ones. And now in your city, the big store is gone. But as you wisely point out, the memories of time spent w/ your darling daughter remain in tact, and always will. and the lessons, etched like lovelines tying two hearts can be read forever. You know what matters, and that is what counts. Still…saying good-bye to old friends is hard.
Hazel Moon
Monday, January 5, 2015 @ 10:36 pm
This is such a sweet post with memories for both you and your daughter. Until recently our Barnes and Nobles was a place we enjoyed browsing and having a special cup of coffee. Lately most of my book purchases are on line, and I joined BookBub.com for their e-books, and I have quite a collection of free e-books. I hope you were able to complete your year end business before the clock struck midnight. I sincerely thank you for sharing your post at “Tell me a True Story.”
nannette and the sweetheart
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 @ 5:15 am
Your posts about family make me sad and happy at the same time…such a sweet story of precious time with those you love the most. I hope the two of you find another place that is just as special. ♥
Chuck Allen
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 @ 7:27 am
What a sweet story. I hope you both find somewhere else to continue your ritual. Those times are definitely special. Well written, Floyd!
Rick Dawson
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 @ 10:22 am
“Gather ye rosebuds (or memories) while ye may…”
Stay in collection mode as long as you can, my friend; Carpe Diem, for it is a short trip we make no matter that it seems long (even too long) at times.
Loren Pinilis
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 @ 11:59 am
All good things must come to end, I guess. At least you still got to have those final few memories at your regular haunt. And you’ll get to keep the memories with you always!
Dolly@Soulstops
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 @ 8:44 pm
Floyd,
Your youngest sounds like our girl when it comes to loving books. Sorry about the store closing but I’m glad you and your girl have 12 years of precious memories together…priceless 🙂 Happy New Year and thanks for the reminder to treasure what is truly important.
TC Avey
Wednesday, January 7, 2015 @ 9:01 am
Tear jerker for me, Floyd. I miss time with my dad…it’s “Gone with the Wind”…until heaven.
Things are changing fast- our world is changing. But Christ never does. He is the only stable thing we can rely on.
And while we have it, we must cherish the moments we have with loved ones and make the most of each opportunity before us.
Jason Stasyszen
Wednesday, January 7, 2015 @ 10:56 am
It’s been a while, Floyd. Missed you! 🙂 As I read your story, I was reminded of a piece of art we have with a quotation on it. We recently moved it from our bathroom to our bedroom so I see it a lot more often and I think it’s a wonderfully needed reminder. It says, “We do not remember days. We remember moments.” It’s the moments that make a life. Taking time with your spouse, your family, your friends, your God. Those memories sustain us and lead us to hunger for more. In some cases, that can be painful because we lost someone associated with those moments. But hopefully it resonates in us to reach out again with someone else and experience another moment. Beautiful thoughts, my friend. Thank you.
Pam
Wednesday, January 7, 2015 @ 3:26 pm
Time spent with a loved one really listening to them and sharing our heart is always precious. The location may change for you, Floyd, but the times of sharing will go on. My daughter and I used to love shopping together. Now, since our times are so few and short, we prefer sitting in a coffee shop sharing lunch and lingering over our fancy-pants beverages. 🙂
saleslady371
Wednesday, January 7, 2015 @ 7:16 pm
Just give me a minute here….your post touched me so much my eyes are blurry. Loving to read books in common with your daughter reminds me of my mom and I. We would read the same book and then talk about it; I did that with my own daughter a few times as well. I always felt so close to them when we discussed what we were currently reading too. Great last sentence about change and how it teaches us. And I love your title!!! So sad the store closed, though.
Joanne Norton
Wednesday, January 7, 2015 @ 9:30 pm
I understand. As I often say, as you know, “Life gets complicated”. We have a lot on our plate when we’re just going around and about. I sure was amazed at the photo on this, BTW. When I saw that I immediately wondered who was writing on it, and, of course, immediately saw your name. Thought “YIPPEE!… I’ll check in on him.” Anyway, thank you for sharing. You touched hearts, as usual, Brother.
Dan Black
Wednesday, January 7, 2015 @ 10:06 pm
Quality time with our loved ones is priceless. I love Barns & Noble! Anyplace with my family is a good place to be. Great post!
child of God
Monday, January 12, 2015 @ 3:09 pm
That made me cry. It is hard to lose these places that hold special memories for us, it is so hard to see them go. Not, like you said, for the store itself, but for all the precious memories that have been had there.
Praying for new places with new memories for 2015.