Like being 20 again, sort of…

I have a new job,

it is a new job,

like a very old job,

I once,

had,

when I was a student,

and,

twenty years young.

Funny,

how life brings,

you back to where,

you once were,

sometimes.

So this new job,

well,

I work,

doing,

telephone surveys,

I was pretty,

convincing,

when I was twenty,

now that I am,

ole and grey,

more so.

I guess,

the voice speaks,

of experience,

doesn’t sound,

like a bothersome kid.

I work with an,

odd assortment,

of people,

lots of kids,

I mean kids.

Pants worn,

halfway down,

their underwear,

kids.

It is a humbling experience,

to work with people,

so young,

to whom,

you are practically invisible,

humbling,

indeed.

And yet,

I have to say,

in spite,

of the amateurism

of the management,

and,

the outdated crappy tools,

I like it.

Strange.

The pay sucks,

not much respect,

or professionalism,

but,

I’m good at it,

I like it,

I like talking to people.

I don’t have to,

make myself,

crazy

and,

yet,

it is engaging,

and,

stimulating,

and,

I do it with,

ease and rigor,

if that makes sense

in a novel fodder,

sort of way.

There is no shame,

in earning an honest buck,

ever.

The same sort of people,

work,

in telephone surveys,

as did almost,

thirty years ago.

Kids,

people searching,

creative types,

who need to pay the bills,

and,

enjoy the flexibility,

this sort of job,

gives you,

add to that,

recent immigrants,

who need a job,

and,

you have,

an interesting,

ragtag bunch.

It ain’t boring folks,

and,

for that,

I am grateful.

Wanted to share that with you.

oh and something else,

I received an email,

this week,

it lifted my spirit,

which was pretty low,

sometimes,

you need,

something out of the blue,

from someone,

who isn’t a friend or family,

to help you get,

through the,

murky, grey,

times.

Dear …..;

It has been many months now since  I discovered that your wonderful book store was no longer there on Wellington St.

I was very shocked  and it felt like a very good friend  had disappeared.

 

I just found your business card from Encore Lire  and am  taking this opportunity to write to you, with the chance that this  e-mail is still valid.

 

It must have been a difficult decision for you to close the store  after all your years of developing such a unique collection of books in both English and French.

I think of you each time I pass by the store  and want to thank you for the countless introductions to new authors you offered  me  over the years.

 

I hope that you have continued to find a way to share your passion and knowledge of literature.  If your book store continues in another location, please let me know.

 

With my deep appreciation  and best wishes

Choked me up,

made me feel,

better,

made me feel,

as though,

I did not toil in obscurity,

and,

the demise of the bookstore,

was important to people.

Be well, hang in there,

all of you.

Later girls,

BB