Sad people come into the shop. Then they look at the shelves and smile. They always come in kind of slowly. Then the smile fades a little but comes back when they see a certain book.
Sadness is unique to the person who owns it; like saliva, it carries the story of us and nobody else.
Christmas is not about sadness but seems to awaken it. Many visitors do not want to talk about Christmas; it is easier to talk about nearly anything else. Some visitors have careful plans for Christmas, details carefully placed to help them get to the other side of it. Choosing books lightens things. They are a hold on the day.
Everyone wishes me a lovely Christmas regardless of their own tricky circumstances.
I remember that J.R.R. Tolkien said, ‘Courage is found in unlikely places.’
Illustration by Mark Conlan
The Book Keeper Book Shop 
I think Christmas creates a great deal of sadness in people. That’s why I am happy to spend it with some good food and some books and my pets. My husband is the same. I see a lot of people without enough money, spending too much on forgettable gifts. I will never understand how it has morphed into what it is. I hope you have a good year next year. It can only be better. I have enjoyed 🤠🐧🎄🌻your bookshop tales this year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, thank you, thank you. The bookshop tales have become very important to me, as have the readers!! All the best to you and your family this Christmas 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you.🐧🎄
LikeLiked by 1 person
” Courage is found in unlikely places”. So is joy – you just need to know how to look for both. Happy Christmas, and here’s to a much better 2021!
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is so true. Thank you for everything you have written and for your encouragement this year. It makes all the difference 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Christmas can be especially difficult for people in unhappy families around siblings or parents with mercurial tempers. Books are a good salve for those situations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely agree 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The holiday awakens happy/sad memories. I needed to “do Christmas” this year, put out all my things even though no one else would see them. I turn my twinkly lights on each day at dusk. My own careful plan is to put all of this away the day after Christmas. Books have become even more important to me, and I have dinner with my current choice each evening, entering that world where things may be better or worse than they are in my own reality. The writing in your posts always gives me a new way of looking at life, and I appreciate that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your comment and thoughts. Your careful plan is a good one, and an important one. In a couple of weeks, I will be alone in my home, and I have plans too, careful ones. Thank you for sharing, and for reading my work. Have a lovely Christmas, and continue your reading, always.
LikeLike