I remember people's stories
I remember the woman from Alabama who couldn't even speak of the devastation from the relentless storms and the loss that families have endured without crying
Or the amazing vendor who one month ago lost her soul mate to Pancreatic Cancer and was buying "G" vintage Key necklaces for family members because "his name started with a G and I want them to remember him"
Or bringing "my Hannah's" little friend Hannah (as she is now so named H2 to the Big Show and didn't know names as much as I did and saying "those women over there"? I don't know who they are, but they are the nicest ladies I have met....they are so down to earth and very kind and just very normal" .
They were Serena's special guests
H2 had no idea.
They were just amazingly sweet woman who talked softball with H1, chatted about stories
just with them
And even before that when I was laughing with a customer over her as she called it "ridiculously small wrists and fingers" as she chose some gems, realizing I didn't know her name either.
H2 pointed out later it was Jenny Doh, another amazing soul.
And the story of the H1 and H2 laughing about the "gynormous cake run with Serena's friend" and balancing the 2 salads on top of 12 huge cakes and how fun that was to race through Costco on a Farmchick Weekend.
I remember the story of appologizing to Serena and her amazing husband at the Saturday evening dinner, actually "eating crow" for scarring one of their sons... as I was jokingly "giving Mr. Souers the bird", as one of her sons, whom I still get their names confused, was delivering me "extra ones".
I remember asking the most darling "table guest" her name after we were laughing about her stories of "driving in Spokane and all those one ways"and not having a car in NY, you forget how to drive, and "what is the deal with the Safari Theme in the Vintage Davenport Hotel"? I remember telling her that she "really needed to visit the "other tower" and hook herself up with more Butter Brickle before she left.
I remember saying...aww. That's the Country Living Editor. Another sweet, soulful person, that didn't need to have a "name" attached to her...just a great, great person, with another story to remember this weekend.
I remember this girl.
Every year
Every year, she and her Mother trek to the Big Show, leave at 2am (did ditch the males of the clan this year) to come shop. I remember her well. And am always asking her name "every year". They always stop at my booth first she says. I feel like I am watching her grow up like my own daughter as I believe this is year 3? that they come to tell me stories, and be apart of my world.
Her name is Lily
(and I probably spelled it wrong as I remember asking her how to spell it and can't remember "one L or two?)
I remember my new friends from the show. All of them. They come back every year. Wearing a piece of jewelry I "made last year" to show me, and "have to pick up a "new design" this year.
I really remember my amazing "friend", who came this year without her husband ... Right when I saw her I had to ask the question.
"How are you?"
Because her story has carried with me for about 2 years.
"Cancer free for almost a year now"
I still have to fight to remember her name, but never her friendship or her story.
I started crying as I met her at this show and consider her my friend.
I remember my Minnesota friend. I still call her Jane at times. Because I don't remember names. She is not Jane.
She is my "gut busting laugh out loud silly willy friend". She took over "selling for me" when I was trying to create a new chain for her necklace.
I remember her niece or grandaughter....my "friend" was so distracting with her "selling techniques" that I lost that part of the story. This darling girl was so excited to find one of my chunky rings with a Dictionary Piano image on it,
"because I am learning to play Piano"
I remember so many of you coming by and remembering you from past shows... I truely do not remember all of your names, but I do remember your stories, or pieces of them that are so impactful
I just remember, that if you just stop for a moment and "just listen", truly listen, everyone has a story. This is what the show is about for me.
I don't have an emotional connection to "junk"
just to "people" that cross the path in my life
Knowing that everyone has a story, I just love taking time to just listen
So many of you made me smile this weekend, having you come up to me and laugh about "my silo story".... and your awe of "seeing it in person"
I loved hearing from all of you.
I just can't remember all of your names.
But I can remember your stories
Thank you for sharing them with me
Lisa
