Thank you for being here.

I’ve heard that so many times since taking over this little bookstore. At first it didn’t make any sense. “Thank you”? Why should you thank me? This is my dream. Owning a little bookstore and seeing people’s happiness when they come to visit. Hearing parents tell their children “This is what bookstores are like.” Because it’s their first time in one!

I was puzzled by the gratitude until the other day. I read an article, I think in The New York Times. The author said something to the effect of if you feel passionately about something, you need to be ready to live your life for it or it will go away. For instance, streaming services are taking away our family television watching experience. Everyone in the same room gathered around whatever happened to be on at the time, laughing or discussing what they’re watching—that’s been replaced by everybody on their own devices watching whatever they want, sometimes in the same room, but often alone.

After I read that article, I realized, I’ve never been to war, never fought for my country, have gone to too few demonstrations, and don’t really participate in local politics. But I have always been passionate about both reading and writing. And if it takes me putting heart and soul into this little store to help keep the written word alive for others, I’m up for that fight.

So, to my customers, I also say “Thank you.” Thank you for continuing to fight the good fight to keep words in print as well as online, for supporting local indie authors who might have something different to say from the traditionally published authors, and for supporting this bookstore so that it is more than just a dream.