Thursday, July 29, 2021
Recipient:
G.B. @ Ace Hardware, University
The Ace Hardware was situated in a shopping plaza I hadn't visited
before despite the fact that it's a scant mile from my house. My mission: To
use my Ace Rewards to buy a hori-hori (Japanese gardening knife). I had
to have it, because the only thing holding me back from banishing
the weeds overtaking our tiny front lawn was the right tool. (Ha.)
The store was a lovely surprise. Well-lit, organized, pleasantly scented, and eclectically stocked with items ranging from the strictly utilitarian to the metaphysical.
I didn’t see what I was looking for right away and decided to ask an associate. The first red vest I spotted was helping another customer. While I hovered nearby, I couldn’t help overhearing bits of their conversation; the woman was wishing him good luck. I asked him about it while he led me to the gardening tools. He shared that in a few months he’d be uprooting his life and moving to the southeast, sight unseen. His sister lived there and he wanted to be closer to her. We had a heartfelt conversation about heading into the unknown, making huge life changes, and taking chances while he advised me on lawn care.
I wrote the award, gave it to him, and he walked away before I could ask if he'd like to pose for a picture.
G.B., it has been about three months since we met. You have probably made your move by now. I hope it is treating you well, and I am wishing you all good things.
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