It’s been so long since you’ve been in and even though your visit was short it was wonderful. I’m so glad I got to see you again. When you walked into the shop your beauty struck me. You’d done your hair and your cheeks were rosy from being out in the cold. I didn’t comment on your radiance but it wasn’t because I didn’t notice.
The last time you were in we spoke for hours, this time mere minutes. On both occasions I wanted nothing more than to hug you. As if a hug would help the weight that you carry slip off of your shoulders. But I didn’t hug you, just as I didn’t tell you you looked beautiful. Instead I traded books with you and secretly hoped that somewhere in the book you chose the author would find the words that I could not to bring you some measure of peace.
Standing at the door, book in hand and weight on shoulders, you turned back and said my name and apologized for making my floors wet from the snow on your boots. And my heart nearly broke at your strength. To be so beautiful and so sad, to be trying so hard to get things right and yet to still find the energy to express concern over my floors.
And so dear Customer I just wanted you to know, I love you.