Last weekend, two of my daughters and I went to an adorable antique shop in Ridgeland, MS called Antique Aly. We wondered aloud if Aly was the owner’s name and sure enough, when we walked in, we met a cute little southern girl named Aly. Aly helped me make a difficult decision. The first thing I spotted was a Eudora Welty book that was bound in leather and signed. It was locked in a glass cabinet, so I asked her about it. She opened the cabinet while I told her how I met Eudora Welty when I was in high school. I attended a reading and spoke to her afterwards because I was doing a paper about her. I remember her kindness and willingness to talk to a shy teenage admirer.
Aly wasn’t all that impressed, but she was willing to text the seller to see if he would come down on the price of the book. I paid the high price anyway because it was a hard day, and I wanted it. Of course being a woman of my generation, I immediately felt guilty about spending that much money on a single book.
This week I talked with a friend about it. She understood retail therapy. She said, “You deserve to do something good for yourself, something that has a special meaning to you. Go home and give the book a kiss.”
I used a clunker from Linda: “Catch a falling word, hold onto it.” And wrote this little poem:
I Bought a Signed Eudora Welty Book at an Antique Store
Catch a falling
Margaret Simon, draft
Word, hold onto it,
Love it,
Covet,
Share some tea with it.
Understand the word
is not yours to own forever,
so kiss it
with lipstick on
and set it free.
I am still fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of my mother’s 87th birthday. If this touches your heart, consider a donation. I’m making beaded bracelets for a donation of $50 or more. Here is a link to my donor’s page: http://act.alz.org/goto/honordotgibson
Oh, wow. That clunker was meant for you for that day and that situation. I’m impressed at how perfectly it fits into your post and the exchange. “It’s not yours to hold onto forever” is such a bittersweet line. XO
I especially love that you “kiss it with lipstick on” before you set it free. I’m glad you got the book 🙂
Margaret, the picture of your family is beautiful. My Uncle was placed in memory care in his assisted living home until he was too forgetful and kept falling. It is a difficult road for the family. I remember last month trying to speak to him via Facebook. He was frail and did not know me. May your Mother feel comforted in her new surroundings. Your poem is touching and honors both your memories and Linda’s clunker words. May you rest in faith this weekend.
What a heartwarming story, Margaret. Yes, kiss it with lipstick on! Hugs to you.
It certainly seems to be meant for you, Margaret. I am convinced serendipity finds us when most needed. I love that you earlier had met Eudora Welty & now you found this special book! Whee! And, then there is the clunker, waiting for a poem that makes your decision absolutely okay!
There are times that we need to do these things for ourselves. What a treasure to find that. And wow, you met Eudora Welty! “Understand the word
is not yours to own forever…” love this.
I love that you found this book! It’s okay to buy the expensive book every now and then. 🙂
I’m so glad you found that book and did buy it. It was definitely meant to be! I also love that it’s “The Optimist’s Daughter” and that you were with your daughters when you found it.
Ha! I didn’t even think about that!
Margaret, that poem makes me a little teary! Love the Eudora W. connection. You absolutely deserve that book! I need to re-read it; parts are quite funny. I heard Miss W. read a couple of times in NYC.
Your friend is right! And the gift…words…are priceless (from your friend and from Eudora Welty)!
Margaret, what wise advice from your friend. Your poem, especially the bit about the lipstick, is so spot on. I’ve been so sorry to hear about your mother. When Randy’s dad passed in late 2021, we became even more aware of his mom’s issues. Your comment about losing both of them at once really struck home. My lovely mom-in-law isn’t in memory care yet, though she’s in a terrific assisted living home. I think it won’t be too long, though. Bless you for loving who your mom is right now, even though the loss is hard and the grief is big. Hugs.
It is touching how many people relate to and empathize with me. So many untold stories. Hugs back!
Margaret, you are hitting all the notes for me today — Eudora Welty … You met her! … Signed copy … book thrills … the joy of a precious find … and giving to the Alzheimer’s association. Not even a tiny glimpse of a clunker here. 🙂 ❤️
I recently read The Optimist’s Daughter for the first time (how did I let that go this long??) and it’s a masterpiece.
I’m glad you treated yourself.
What a perfect poem for that line from Linda, it captures this special book magically. Love the 👄 stick kiss setting it free- your post shines with an inner fullness, thanks Margaret!