Today I went into the toy store that moved in after us for the very first time.
Five years ago I was unprepared for the emotional toll it would take on me to spend three months publicly dismantling our business, and I was even more unprepared for how lost I would feel for so long after it was closed.
Only recently have I felt I've begun to regain my footing.
So today, when Jack asked me to take him to the toy store because he knew they'd have what he was looking for, I took a deep breath and decided I was ready.
There was barely a trace of our old space. And it was okay! Truly, truly okay.
5 comments:
Nearly 5 years, and yet so many of us wish the Read Leaf still existed!
Last summer I ate at our family restaurant in Idaho - and it hasn't been ours for 30+ year, with my parents and Jenna. It was weird - but OK, really.
Margy - Roger, the Read Leaf will always exist - thanks for the memories.
What you described so well felt just like the grieving I experienced when my mom died. A year and a half later I was assigned to VT a lady in the same assisted living where she died and I had real anxiety about returning. But I did it and the lady is a gem who served 3 missions and has blessed my life more than I hers. Life goes on and we can make it great by serving :D
I remember when you switched off the red neon leaf! The Read Leaf was a happy, happy place, and my experiences there were some of the most influential of my young adulthood, and are a big part of who I am now!
I was just talking to Trev the other day about how I am in a way glad it closed when and how it did. Between all that Main Street construction a couple of years ago and the economic recession and how much small businesses are suffering currently, I'm glad closing The Read Leaf was in no way a forced decision. And at least the space is still a happy place! A toy store is so much more fun than say, a tax firm or something.
Our community misses The Read Leaf, but I agree with Ronda, it will always exist!
This makes me so sad. I miss your store. A lot.
In fact, when I opened a bookstore in CityVille on facebook I named it The Read Leaf. And it made me happy. I hope you will forgive my tiny tribute and not get angry that I stole your store's name.
Robin, that is the best compliment ever! Thank you!
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