I had a very rewarding day at the gallery yesterday.

It snowed at my house early in the morning, so I left home praying the it wouldn't return while I was working and cause slippery roadways.

I was also blessed to find parking nearby.

The opening process flowed easily, and my brain was able to do the necessary math to reconcile the register.

I turned on the lights and began to sweep and already had a customer.

The very friendly and pleasant woman knew exactly what she wanted, and as I went into the back to wrap her purchases we continued talking.

The conversation turned to the upcoming weekend, and I shared that I was looking forward to seeing my granddaughter dance as Clara in the local production of the Nutcracker, and that her little sister would also be dancing.

I asked if she had children and she replied that she had 2 sons.

I asked their ages, and as they were young adults asked if they were in school.

She replied that one worked and the other died last year.

My heart broke for her, and I expressed my sorrow and what a horrible thing that was.

When I brought her the package I asked her to wait just a minute.

I got one of my Christmas cards for her and told her it was my gift for her.

She gave me a hug and said thank you.

As I returned her hug I told her I knew this Christmas would be hard for her.

What a good reminder that we never know what another person is going through.

Later on another customer came in to complete the payment on a piece of artwork she bought the previous day.

As we were talking she told me she is a social worker in a skilled living facility.

I shared my years of being an RN.

We talked about the pressures of both jobs during the pandemic.

She asked about my artwork and took time to look through all my prints and chose one that will compliment other artwork on a particular wall in her home, even bringing up a photo of the wall she will hang it on.

I was so thankful for her interest and time.

She came in with the intention of making a quick payment and then took the time to connect with me, share some of herself, and bought 2 additional pieces of artwork.

Not every day at the gallery is as rewarding.

Sometimes I have few visitors and they cruise through barely stopping to look at the artwork.

Sometimes people come through with short tempers and some sort of agenda I don't understand.

It's days like this one that make it all worthwhile.

Making a connection with people on a human level and being able to add beauty and love to their day is why I do this.

Having said that, I realize that my introvert self is learning the value of reaching out to other people.

That more can be gained and learned by venturing out of my studio.

And that God didn't make us to be solitary.

He gave us each other to love and support one another through all the things that life brings our way.

As I look forward to the Nutcracker performance tomorrow, I also have a family obligation I'm not looking forward to.

I'm going to take what I learned about the need for other people and apply it to spending time with the prickliest person I know.

Perhaps I will learn something else from the experience.

Because God does work in mysterious ways and through those we least expect.

Be good to yourself this holiday season.

Allow the joys and heartbreaks to pass though you.

Hold on to those things that strengthen and bring you peace.

It's ok to let the rest go