I was 15 years old. I walked into the rural library. My father was freshly dead. I was a middle-school dropout. We were poor. It was Christmastime.
The small, public library was decorated for the holiday season. There was plastic holiday crapola everywhere. It was cold outside. I had no winter coat.
I stepped into the library with a blast of sleet and rain. I was wearing a T-shirt. My hair was soaked.
“Where’s your coat?” said the librarian.
“I don’t have one.”
“You don’t have a coat!? It’s 30 degrees outside!”
Shrug.
The librarian’s name was Miss Terry. She was old enough to predate the Roosevelt administration. Her hair was cotton white. Her shoes were Reeboks. Her embroidered sweatshirt read: “Dear Santa, I can explain.”
The library was a converted residential house. And I was a regular here.
“You can’t go around without a coat,” Miss Terry said. “You’ll freeze.”
Shrug Number Two.
I wandered to the fiction section. Fiction was all I was interested in. I read fiction each morning, afternoon, and night. It was escapism, I see that now. And I was a classic escapist. But then, there were very few happy things in my life. Who wouldn’t want to escape?
That day, I checked out two Louis L’Amour books, a few Dick Francis novels. When I brought my selection up to the counter, Miss Terry just looked at me with warm eyes.
“I have a book I want you to read,” she said.
“You do?”
She placed a leatherbound book atop my stack of books. Written by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
“I think you’ll appreciate this one.”
“It looks like a girl book.”
“Try to keep an open mind.”
I took the books home, I read them the way I always read books. Ferociously. But when I read the Lucy Maud Montgomery book, time stood still. And my heart moved sideways in my chest. I had never read a book with more tenderness.
When I returned to the library a week later, Miss Terry asked how I liked the book. I told her it was maybe the best book I ever read.
I returned my books, and checked out more. This time, she placed another book atop my stack. This one was written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I took the books home. I read them in a frenzy, just like before. But Laura Ingalls Wilder was immediately my favorite.
I brought the books back to the library.
“How did you like the book I gave you?” she asked.
“I read it twice.”
She smiled.
Then it happened. After Miss Terry accepted my stack of books, in return, she gave me a gift wrapped box. The box was wrapped in glittery red paper, with a green ribbon.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“It’s for you,” she said.
“Is it another book?”
“Just open it.
I tore the paper. There was a coat inside. Warm and fluffy. I cried when I put it on.
“We can’t have you catching a cold and getting sick,” she said. “There are too many books left for you to read. You might even write one of your own someday.”
I wiped my face. “One day I’m going to grow up and write a book,” I told her. “And when I do, I’m going to write something about you, and how you gave me this coat.”
She smiled and straightened the collar of my jacket. “You won’t even remember me when you’re all grown up.”
Well.
I showed her.
8 comments
stephen e acree - December 11, 2023 12:04 pm
Books saved you along with miss Terry. And we are all better for it.
Julie Hall - December 11, 2023 1:18 pm
Every single day, you remind us all that kindness matters. Thank you Sean.
David in California - December 11, 2023 3:38 pm
A little love goes a long way.
Patty Traversie - December 11, 2023 7:10 pm
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences ~ I was reading this story to my mom but I have to finish it after a bit because my heart felt your impending need to do something you loved…my throat got this strange feeling, like, almost swelling…and my eyes couldn’t hold back the tears from gathering, as I felt the compassion from Miss Terry.
You certainly have a gift and I am grateful.
(Sharing with family and friends!)
pattymack43 - December 11, 2023 9:17 pm
One of the many reasons I personally LOVE librarians!! Keep remembering, Sean!!
Blessings!
Kelly C. - December 12, 2023 5:11 pm
I absolutely love who you are SD! And THANK YOU for these daily emails and the love and healing they bring to my heart! It was awesome to see you in Mineola! (The ladies from Houston who were raised in Chipley, FL who read all your books at Mexico Beach that were found at Port St. Joe’s No Name Cafe!!!) : }
Sandra DeFrancisco - December 13, 2023 2:27 am
Thank you Sean for sharing your life experience, your gratitude for Miss Terry,
your strength and tenacity; and your love for life and others. God Bless You.
Sandra DeFrancisco
Sherri C. - December 15, 2023 1:38 am
A friend just last night gave me your name and suggested I look you up. What a gift your writing is! Thank you for the reminder of love and caring that exists.