I’ve been thinking about some new acquaintances, many of them at the beginning of their consignment, resale, and nonprofit thrift businesses. Although I only know these people through emails and orders of my Products and Facebook, I worry about them and the challenges they face.
Is it a coincidence, then, that I ran across this stanza from a longer poem by Langston Hughes this morning, in a totally different context? Or is there a connection amongst well-meaning people striving to “make their shop be all they dream it can be”?
So I dedicate today’s blog post to Stephanie and Cynthia and Marilyn, and so many others!
And so the root
Becomes a trunk
And then a tree
And seeds of trees
And springtime sap
And summer shade
And autumn leaves
And shape of poems
And dreams—
More than tree.
From “For Russell and Rowena Jelliffe” by Langston Hughes
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
Thanks for the poem, as I wait for your manual to arrive that I should have ordered in the beginning….so lucky that you share all you have learned Kate!
Thanks Jan… I did wonder that you didn’t already HAVE the manual… thought you might have loaned it out to someone who absconded with it! I did have one lady order my manual THREE times… the first 2, she left in cabs!
Langston Hughes is one of my favorite poets! I must admit to getting teary eyed as I read this stanza. Dog tired at 5:34pm, having been at the store since 7am. I have a wonderfully supportive husband but my guilt has been kicking in.
The store is coming together, display window is done and I am opening Friday.
Lovely sentiment, Kate. As usual, thinking of others.
Wow! Thank you! Just finished our TI today and got keys for our shop….
And TI would be…? Sounds like congratulations are in order, no matter what!