Just Like That

  He sent an email telling of how he and his wife had finished decorating their home for the holiday season.  His colleague from college replied saying she could hardly wait until one day she too would have a home to decorate.

   “I know, you’re probably thinking ‘you say that now” she wrote, but then continued in a teasing manner; 

“My house will be shining or gleaming at every window and every corner you turn, a golden humming bird will greet you with beauty.”

   He responded that he would not wish to destroy such enthusiasm with a cascade of all the challenges that keeping a house in good repair demanded; nor would he mention the many headaches and heartaches that accompanied those lofty life goals a girl of her age cultivates.; marriage, children, and yes the house with an idyllic white picket fence.  Instead he encouraged her to dream on.

    Then she wrote of accepting a retail job, work far from her education and degree.  She felt as if she were losing ground by accepting the job because it was necessary. Feeling the decision was taking her in a direction she didn't plot for her life; she felt a bit embarrassed.  He replied to her trepidation with a snippet from his own personal adventure;

  “Here's a tale you might find amusing. While I was attending Auburn I worked in the University bookstore, in the shipping and receiving department. One day the manager of the bookstore came to the back dock and asked me to come with him; there were some things at the administration building he needed help bringing to the store. While we were walking to the administration building I made small talk and asked him how it was he became manager of the book store. He said,

   "Doing what you are"

   He went on to explain that he too worked in the bookstore when he was attending Auburn years ago, back when he was a young accounting student. It just so happened many years later while working for the state, he got a call from someone he knew from college. The friend told him of the opening at the bookstore, and told him to apply for the job. His acquaintance thought he'd do well and best of all, was in a position to influence the selection process.  Having the experience of how it generally worked, he thought, "why not?"  The overarching moral of this story is; I learned back in 1985...yes, your parents were still chewing bubble gum back then, but a professor told us business students that less than fifteen per cent of us would be working in our field of study five years from graduation. Less than fifteen percent would be practicing the trade we were dedicating ourselves to mastering.  So when you work, then you become known...and with that the marvel and magic of the unknown begins to weave you into your story....continue to be as enchanting as you are and you will find your way to where you'll end up....hopefully as you wish, in a home that glows golden light onto the street with its overwhelming welcome to loving well. Perhaps also, some young girl passing by in the early winter evening just before the holidays will see that display and she will whisper a promise to herself no one else will hear.

"One day, I'm going to have a home just-like-that"

I see you.