Like Nobody's Business

A THANK YOU AND A LITTLE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE STORY

We just wanted to say thank you once again to all our customers, those who have visited before and those who were visiting for the first time, for all the support and purchases you made for the Christmas holidays. It was a true joy to see you all and to help you get the items for your family, friends, and loved ones that you thought they would enjoy. We hope your Christmas was happy, healthy, and bright.

And here’s the little Christmas miracle story. Every Christmas Eve when my father was still alive, he would make steaks on the BBQ outside. Neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night would stop him from doing this, so it became a tradition we all looked forward to. He would be out there all bundled up in his snow jacket, hat, gloves, boots, and scarf loving every minute of the meal he was making for us. I was thinking this Christmas Eve how much I missed this tradition and him. It made me sad. So, I took a little walk outside and there sitting in a muddy puddle at the bottom of our stairs was a penny. My father was also a big penny man. Whenever he visited someone who had bought a new home, he would place a penny on the top of the door jam. He said that it was to bring wealth into the home. And some say that the deceased will drop coins in people’s paths, usually pennies, to let their loved ones know that they were still with them. So, of course, I had to lean over and pick up the penny. I brushed the dirt off it and saw that it was a shiny penny. I brought it back into the shop, and told my husband that Dad was saying Merry Christmas Eve and that he hadn’t forgotten about our steaks on the BBQ tradition. I handed the penny to my husband. He looked at it and said, “Did you notice the date on this penny?” And I said I hadn’t because I didn’t have my magnifying glasses with me. My husband kind of hesitated for a moment and said, “I’m not sure I should tell you.” I said, “What’s the date.” He replied, “2012.” That was the year my father passed away. Tears welled up in my eyes. I said, “I don’t know about you, but I definitely believe that’s a message from Dad.” And my very scientific, needs proof of everything husband replied, “I have no doubt that it is.” So, many, many thanks, Dad, for letting me know that you remembered me and our BBQ steaks. It made me smile and cry at the same time. I miss you so so much.

We hope the New Year will bring all of you your own special little miracles. Everyone needs a miracle or two every once in a while. Oh, and put a penny on top of your door jams in my father’s honor. You never know—it might actually work!

Well, it’s been a while since anybody left us any gifts on our porch at the store (see posts below to see what kind of freebies we get). But we got one today! We’re not entirely sure what it means, but here’s a picture. Perhaps they’re trying to tell us that Portland is no Big Apple. So, maybe we’re the Half-Chewed Up Apple. As comparisons go, we must admit it’s not far from the truth. 😊