Today has been a great day for people. Early this morning one of my weekly visitors came in. She sells me newspaper ads. Any visit with her is delightful. Sad news/Happy news, she and her family are moving back to their home state. I am very glad for her. I will miss our conversations. She is a ray of sunshine.
After she left a man came in. He was looking for a snack and coffee. I thought he was Japanese. Proudly pointed out the Japanese candy I sell. Oops, he is Chinese. He sat down to drink his coffee and chat. He stayed for about an hour give or take. He is in our little town to learn things about city government. He is with a group that spent 7 weeks at the University of Chicago. They learned how our government works. Now they are visiting towns to view the town offices. My favorite part is he is from a city that is larger than Chicago. Within that city there are several sections/districts. He is in charge of a section with over two million people. Makes sense to send him to our town of 4100. He is amazed by our town. I think it must be like seeing a unicorn. He was telling me about people he met. I would comment on the people. He said do you all know each other? I said no. I am involved with my community so I attend meetings and get to know people. It was so interesting. He is a government employee and received some perks. They can buy a house for less than the cost of building it.
Here are things I was surprised to learn:
80% of the people own houses
Most people own cars
Government workers can only have 1 child unless they were an only child. If his parents had only had him, he could have 2 children. He was not an only child so he could have 1. His son will be able to have 2 children.
His retirement is provided by the government, they pay a small amount. He will receive 70% of his pay when he retires. Healthcare is free.
Do not say, Isn't everything provided in your country since you are Communist? He stared blankly at me.
They have McDonalds.
No Property Taxes. He asked me about Property Taxes, how much we pay. I explained our taxes are high because we do not have larger companies to bring money into the community. They do not pay taxes. (Because they are a Communist Country.)
The city he is from is near Hong Kong. He asked if I had heard of Hong Kong. Duh! Probably could not find it on a map, unless it was clearly marked, but I have heard of it. Told me the largest mountain in the world is in China. Once again, duh!
It was an interesting visit. If he was here to spy on our town, I do not think I gave him any info that will help overthrow our town government. He is here for a few more days. Hope I get another visit.
This afternoon Angelo and Makayla came in. I really should be a welcome center. I give out so much information and can really sell my town. Because I love it so much!!! It should also be a high paying position. Anyways......I started my usual chat. Are you passing through. Angelo says, no. He is thinking about buying a house here. What??? This makes me happy. I love when people randomly move here. His daughter attending the Art Institute (Photography Major). He lives in the southern part of the state. He will retire soon. If he lives here, he can jump on the train. He told me what the price of a train ticket is. I asked him if he realized he could buy a monthly pass. He is very excited about that.
Angelo said he just went to look at a house. I asked which one. He said it was a house that a 102 year old man lived in who recently died. I said, Harlan's house on James Street? You know I was right. We talked about the house. I told him about all the wonderful things to do here. Gave him a couple of ideas of where to go for dinner.
As a disclaimer, I told them not to expect everyone to be as friendly as I am. They laughed. I said it is a small town. People can have their clicks. He understood. I cannot tell you how excited I am at the prospect of someone moving here. It is ridiculous how happy it makes me. The fact that he can tell my town is a good place to live, reinforces that I am right.
A few weeks ago a lady came in my shop that just closed on a house in the country. Once again, I knew the people that owned the house she purchased. She lives near Wrigley Field. She is married with 4 kids. She and her husband work at a University. They live in a bungalow. Her parents live an hour south of here. It was such a long drive to visit, they bought a house in the middle. Seriously! They thought it would be great for their kids to have a big space to run around. They have a big farmhouse. She was looking for coffee and wifi. I had both. Since they work at a University, they have quite a bit of time off. They expect to spend quite a bit of time here. She brought two of her children in last week.
I told her about our Christmas Parade. They are going to try to make it down for that. Wait until they see our Christmas Celebration. It is like stepping back in time. This year we will have an awesome Santa House. A Christmas Tree forest. Some good stuff. We hope to decorate the Santa House soon. Before we get into sub-zero temps.
Wanted: A high paying job. Flexible hours. Lots of vacation time. Person must be able to talk about town history and all it has to offer. Someone who can start a conversation with a brick wall. Person will have their own office, be able to wear comfortable clothing, have fun lunch meetings.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Friday, November 7, 2014
Verediane
She came in when a shared friend asked me if I would like to sell her books out of my shop. I had been looking for the book so it was an easy yes. She brought in a few books and we chatted a few minutes. She is a small lady, a beautiful accent, quiet spoken. I started reading her book immediately. It was a small book and a very quick read. The question still is shocking to think how she went from growing up to Rwanda to living in our village. I enjoyed the book. Wished she had written more details and made it much longer.
The next time she came in my shop, I wanted to hug her. I no longer say the same person. She is still small. She just appears like a giant in my mind. It is odd to read something to personal about a person and then meet her. I told her I enjoyed her book. We had an awkward conversation. I gave her money for the book, she was on her way.
Today she stopped in again. We decided she will stop in weekly. I tried to convey to her how she appears like a hero to me now. I said I feel awed by what she lived through. She said it was just her life. I told her after reading the book I was overwhelmed by what she had lived through. I said she was like a hero, bigger than life. She laughed. She said it was just what she had to do. She had to keep them safe. I said being a Mom. She said yes, yes. That was always on her mind.
We are starting to get to know each other. She said she has not worked since she came here. She has siblings still in Rwanda. She does not know if she will ever be able to go visit them. She said she left the sadness there. She does not know if she could face it there. Her siblings live poorly. They did not have the opportunity to attend college. They live off the land. She said not in a good way. It is more desperate. She said it is like they live in hell, she lives in heaven. She said a few times this is heaven. She said she thinks that there is probably such a sadness with the people there. The sadness will keep them from having the strength to aspire to have more. They are worn down.
I told her it was the first book I read about Rwanda. She asked if I watched the movie Hotel Rwanda. I said no. She said she did not want to watch it. Her book is called, You Are Not Alone. I asked her if it was her faith that guided her. She said, yes. She believes everything happens for a reason. She was meant to live through it and be here. She was meant to write the story to help people understand. Verediane tells her story in a positive way. No anger. Matter of fact. That was her life and what she endured.
I look forward to my weekly visits with Verediane. She asked how I opened a candy store. We talked that everyone has a story. Some stories are just more powerful. We will slowly get to know each other. The people that walk in the door!!!
The next time she came in my shop, I wanted to hug her. I no longer say the same person. She is still small. She just appears like a giant in my mind. It is odd to read something to personal about a person and then meet her. I told her I enjoyed her book. We had an awkward conversation. I gave her money for the book, she was on her way.
Today she stopped in again. We decided she will stop in weekly. I tried to convey to her how she appears like a hero to me now. I said I feel awed by what she lived through. She said it was just her life. I told her after reading the book I was overwhelmed by what she had lived through. I said she was like a hero, bigger than life. She laughed. She said it was just what she had to do. She had to keep them safe. I said being a Mom. She said yes, yes. That was always on her mind.
We are starting to get to know each other. She said she has not worked since she came here. She has siblings still in Rwanda. She does not know if she will ever be able to go visit them. She said she left the sadness there. She does not know if she could face it there. Her siblings live poorly. They did not have the opportunity to attend college. They live off the land. She said not in a good way. It is more desperate. She said it is like they live in hell, she lives in heaven. She said a few times this is heaven. She said she thinks that there is probably such a sadness with the people there. The sadness will keep them from having the strength to aspire to have more. They are worn down.
I told her it was the first book I read about Rwanda. She asked if I watched the movie Hotel Rwanda. I said no. She said she did not want to watch it. Her book is called, You Are Not Alone. I asked her if it was her faith that guided her. She said, yes. She believes everything happens for a reason. She was meant to live through it and be here. She was meant to write the story to help people understand. Verediane tells her story in a positive way. No anger. Matter of fact. That was her life and what she endured.
I look forward to my weekly visits with Verediane. She asked how I opened a candy store. We talked that everyone has a story. Some stories are just more powerful. We will slowly get to know each other. The people that walk in the door!!!
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