4 Little WOrds....

I had a profound moment earlier today. I was at my little store in Fort Langley, filling a couple orders, worrying about my business, working on a reopening strategy and planning for next month, scared, worried, tired... and as I went to lock the front door, I saw my open sign sitting on the wicker chair. Those 4 simple words. 4 words with such different connotation now.

“Come in, we’re open!’

And it hit me.

All of it. The past 59 days of Covid ripping through our lives, disrupting and closing my business, my family, all the families, our routines, school,..... life. Everything.

And for the first time since it all started, I allowed myself to just sit and let it hit me, I let it hurt. Let it in. Let it make me feel small and vulnerable, and sad. I mourned the spring that should have been unfolding right now, the cheerful ringing of our antique brass bell each time a customer walked in the store, all the birthday parties, bridal showers that we should be hosting in our studio, grad parties,the laughter and excitement as guests unveil their soap creations. The familiar smiles and chats with our local, regular customers, (Elke, I miss your smiling face and talking about what flowers are popping up!)
I miss handing dog treats over the counter to our four-legged fur friends, or stamping bumble bees and ladybugs on eager, chubby little hands.... 

The ‘normal’ that was taken for granted all seems so far away now, my heart misses all of it, the noise, the people, the connectedness of community.

So when the day comes that I can hang this treasured old sign back on my shop door window, know that it will have enormous emotional meaning, more than I can put into a single social media post. It will be more than an opening, it will be a celebration, a celebratory statement... ‘We’re Open!’... and I look forward to sharing it with you!

In the meantime, if you have read this far, thank you for listening, remember you can still support our small business by posting product reviews, sharing posts, and of course ordering online. Each and every order helps ensure that we WILL reopen next month, so thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Missing you all 💕

#FortLangley #FortForever #SupportLocal #Covid19Sucks

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