A Thanksgiving Message from Carrie

During this season of gratitude, it is easy to have Skylark Bookshop on my list. Thankful seems too simple a word, really. Indie shops are treasures, and Skylark has brought much more than a bookshop into my life. Everyone I have the fortune of working with is now family. And everyone who walks through our doors brings their own light.

Alongside my to-do list for today . . . AKA "All the Things," I thought I would share some gratitudes running through my mind.

1. Walking into the empty shop (almost) every morning. It is a calming deep breath, peaceful, beautiful. I treasure my rituals, taking stock of myself and of Skylark. And yes, I really do a cartwheel up the isle each and every morning I am there.

2. Those events that make me glance over at Alex. We smile, silently say "this." And it means more than "this." It means "this is what we dreamed about, this is more than we dreamed, this is why."

3. Speaking of Alex . . . I am a supremely independent person. This dude gets it, pushes me when I need to be pushed and lets me be stubborn when I need to dig in. We vaguely knew one another going into this adventure. We definitely know each other now. It is pretty wonderful and I couldn't ask for a better business partner and friend.

4. The rest of our family is a special mix of spirit and soul. Becky, Beth, Carol, Chris, Erin, & Faramola are ridiculously wonderful people. They each stamp the shop and my life with their own vibrant skills and enthusiasm. I get to work with each of them every week, and know that there will be laughter, new knowledge, victories, and warm fuzzies every single time.

5. Also, Theo. He is literally warm and fuzzy.

6. You people.

When you walk in for the first time and we see your eyes turn into book shaped hearts.

When you bring in a friend for the first time and watch them come through the door to see them fall in love. Someday, I will get that little intake of breath on film.

When you curl up with your kid in the Treehouse reading and neither of you want to leave.

That guy who rushed in after the first ultrasound to get a book on being a dad. Because that moment made his heart explode and everything was suddenly real. And he had seen the book before he had all the feels. And with the feels all he could think about was what comes next.

Our Storytime littles. The ones who have been coming from the start and are getting SO BIG. The ones who are new or peek in every so often. We love seeing you growing into the pages.

The dude who wins at being a boyfriend and drops in for a carefully chosen book whenever his girlfriend is having a rough day. Seriously, be that dude. He wins.

The kid who said they finally felt like they were safe and had a home.

Every last one of you we get to talk bookish with.

When you know it when you see it and don't need a bag, because you really just need to see it and hold it right away.

When you want a suggestion and we get to know you better.

When you finish a book you bought from us and have to come back to talk about it.

Those of you who are more than "regulars." And sometimes we talk about books, but sometimes we celebrate and/or cry together.

When inside our doors is a break from the world.

When inside our pages helps you understand the world.

When you come inside our lives and make our world better.

That friend who knew they were going to lose at chess but went upstairs and sat down anyway. And when they walked out they were happier than when they walked in.

Our Authors, Storytellers, and knowers of things. You leaked a little bit of yourself on our stage and we love how crowded it is getting up there. Also, we finally moved the light up. Sorry about your head. I am short and oblivious.

When your parent is in town and they ask "can I buy you a book?" Then you get a little giddy. We feel you.

That lady who lives pretty far away and loves us anyway . . . even if we might only ever meet through email and packages.

Speaking of packages? Subscription day is one of the best days. I hope it is as fun on the other side of the wrapping paper.

Our neighbors (cheers, Shelly), who make our neighborhood shiny (with glitter).

Oh my word. I could keep going. For a very long time. But I have eight dishes to finish making in the next hour . . . 

So, in case you are wondering, I see you, too. I adore you. And truly, I can't wait to see your smile again.