Let Your Life Speak

I jogged to my local bookstore, toting a baked treat for the owner. At the door, I burst into tears. A small note by the “Closed” sign said she had just passed away.  

Yvonne was quirky, and brusque, and it smelled funny in there. But I loved that old woman. When I first hung out my shingle as a new author, most book industry people slammed their doors in my face. Yvonne beamed and said proudly, “We’ll put your book right here in the front window.”  

I’m not the only one she made feel special. No matter what item people requested, Yvonne intuitively sensed what they really needed – a bit of advice, empathy, or just a listening ear. For those short on money, she lent out her books, cautioning “not to crease the cover.” 

There’s an old Quaker saying, “Let your life speak” (also a powerful book by Parker J. Palmer). Quietly and without fanfare, Yvonne was a shining example. Each person walked out of her shop feeling more loved, seen, and cared for than when they walked in. 

Yvonne’s approach to life and how she treated others spoke far more volumes than the ones on her bowed, dusty shelves. I will do my best, dear mentor, to carry on your legacy. 

© 2025 by Laurie B. Gardner. All rights reserved.