Julie, sitting two chairs down and waiting at the busy nail salon this pre-Christmas day, asked me what I was reading.
I flashed her my book, Joy to the World and said, "It's a book of Christmas reflections, something good at this busy time of year! In fact that's why I'm here today, to slow things down and enjoy a little respite!"
The book was an early gift from the women who organized the Adoration ministry at my church. In fact, I had just come in from a morning spent at Mass, Adoration, and bringing the Eucharistic to a man who is homebound.
“Are you an Angel?” she suddenly asked me.
Stunned, I looked at her and smiled slowly, “No... What makes you ask me THAT?”
“Oh, it is just that people wouldn’t ordinarily talk with me while waiting to get their nails done here.”
Then she asked me if I would read an excerpt from the book she was reading on her IPhone which spoke to her and her feelings about the "middle aged slump." I read the paragraphs she offered and returned her phone saying that it didn't really speak to me.
"It doesn't???" and she suddenly opened up more about how she was feeling lost with her kids being out of the house and far too many family members having died. She declared that she had recently come up with a list of "NON-NEGOTIABLES!" And getting a gel manicure on a regular basis was one of those. Afterward she planned to go "THRIFTING!"
"Thrifting? Do you mean thrift store shopping?"
"Yes, thrifting!!" There I can discover the joy of childhood memories as I look at all of the things that people have to sell. And I can talk with others and visit in a way that is difficult in other places, like this nail salon for instance. And the deals! You never know just what you'll find on the hunt!" The gleam in her eyes was unmistakable as she talked of it.
“I liked the title of the book you're reading: To Pitch a Tent. It reminds me of the trip I am planning this February...to go camping with my dog at the beach."
"Are you going alone?? Have you done it before? What are you planning to do while you're there?"
And our conversation took off until my name was called.
As we parted Julie said,”Here I am getting a manicure as a sign of my independence. But you! You are an Angel. An Angel with spunk!"
And we both broke into laughter.
