Very dear

I can't stop thinking of Kenny and Scott who passed this week.  Kenny and his sister were my best friends until my dad built a new house and moved our family.  We spent countless hours jumping rope and playing Red Rover.  Now he is gone, after fighting a brave battle with lung cancer.  And cancer claimed Scott too, at the age of 42.  He had taught for 18 years at the middle school near our house.  This summer, he was diagnosed with esophogael cancer.  He was in treatment and teaching, but died suddenly this week, leaving all who knew him in shock.  Shaun died from injuries in a plane crash.  I understand he was considering the purchase of a plane to fly to his cabin in Ontario.  And Autumn, my daughter's friend, was struck by a car crossing the street, and Peter, my friend's son died suddenly and accidently.  Too much to absorb in too short a time.

The store has been very quiet.  The mall across the street, the restaurant and drive through coffee counter, the coffee shop next to us furiously busy.  Trying to figure which kind of perishable product to bring in.  The customers have been challenging...the few that come in.  I finally figured out that the lady who came in carrying a planter, wanted to exchange it for a planter in a round ceramic container.  Unfortunately, we do not have any in the shape she would like.  And obviously, the person who started the conversation with "I've been having a bit of trouble with my credit card," had spoken to someone else at the main store.  After spending time with him and writing an order for tropicals, roses, candles, and plush, the credit card was invalid.  And the young man who called three or four times to place his order with the card message Dear X 3, 875, 321 090 because that is how dear she is!