Shop's Log. Halifax NS. May 18th, Saturday, 16:17. Weather: Overcast, 7℃.
A regular customer came by the shop today. I hadn't seen her in quite a while so I was happy to see her. I also knew that her husband had been in the hospital but was "recovering"...the last time we heard. So I asked how he was doing.
"Oh, he passed away. Funeral's next week." she said, a bit too casually...and I knew she was putting on her brave face. I was dumbstruck and I heard myself utter automatic words of regret. I really wanted to know what had happened and how she was coping...but I knew it was not my place. And I honoured her courage at this difficult time by not dwelling on it. But my throat was constricting.
Her husband was a very dear and sweet man. He was 90+ years old. He would walk up and down the street for his exercise. He would drop by the shop to buy a little something for his wife in a very conspiratorial way. He loved to surprise her. He loved her dearly. He would always ask me, "If she doesn't like it, can I return it?" ...and I always said, "Sure!" But not one item was ever returned. I will miss him.
I light a stick of incense and offer a silent prayer. May you rest in peace.
"Oh, he passed away. Funeral's next week." she said, a bit too casually...and I knew she was putting on her brave face. I was dumbstruck and I heard myself utter automatic words of regret. I really wanted to know what had happened and how she was coping...but I knew it was not my place. And I honoured her courage at this difficult time by not dwelling on it. But my throat was constricting.
Her husband was a very dear and sweet man. He was 90+ years old. He would walk up and down the street for his exercise. He would drop by the shop to buy a little something for his wife in a very conspiratorial way. He loved to surprise her. He loved her dearly. He would always ask me, "If she doesn't like it, can I return it?" ...and I always said, "Sure!" But not one item was ever returned. I will miss him.
I light a stick of incense and offer a silent prayer. May you rest in peace.
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