04/30/2024
Saying goodbye is hard. I’ve sat with my thoughts for awhile trying to figure out how exactly to say goodbye. I worked for Jean and Shane for 15 out of the 16 years that Piedmont Books had been in business. For anyone that may not know, I walked into the origin store one day, Mohawk and a face full of piercings and I was met with nothing but acceptance and Shane asking “Didn’t that hurt?”. That day began a turning point in my life that I so desperately needed.
Jean and Shane never judged me, only gave me smiles and pointed my horror loving heart towards new authors. They were the ones that sold me “White Christmas, Bloody Christmas” for an extremely awesome price. They held books for me, listened to me and Jean was the one who knew something wasn’t right when I hadn’t’ been around for awhile. In the beginning process of them being forced to find a new store, chaos and I’m sure what must have been panic for them, they gave me a chance. I went from scrubbing toilets for an inappropriate boss to a world where love, acceptance, understanding, and opportunities were waiting.
Originally, I had told Jean I couldn’t work for her because I couldn’t do math. I had always hated numbers and honestly, I’m still surprised to this day, I graduated high school. She took the time to teach me. The numbers that would make me clam up, tear up and panic suddenly didn’t seem so scary. They finally started to make sense. Now, we play blackjack together lol. Jean taught me so many more things, things about life, myself and understanding the things we cannot change. She still continues to teach me.
There are so many memories and stories that I’d love to tell, but only so much time and I’m assuming word limit on Facebook lol. Jean, Shane, their daughters and sons have made an impact in and on my life that I will never fully be able to express. There will never be enough thank yous, there’ll never be enough words to truly express how blessed I was to meet them, work for them and be apart of their lives. I got to babysit their kids and watch them grow, they became my siblings. Jean and Shane became my “make believe” mom and dad. They gave me hope through deaths, breakups and disasters. Love when I felt lower than dirt. Trusted me with their kids and business. Lit a light in the darkness that I felt I was drowning in. Started me on a road that led to my amazing son. They rooted for me. They never stopped.
There were so many nights, after the doors were locked and the lights were switched off, I would just sit and be with the books. Organizing, straightening and just existing. It fed my soul in so many ways. Piedmont Books was a sanctuary to so many, including myself.
I have had the pleasure to meet some of the most amazing, book loving people these past 15 years. Some of whom became close friends. We’ve also said goodbye to some of the most beautiful souls I’ve had the pleasure of encountering. I got to watch kids grow, hear life stories, hear the absolute miracles that some people had experienced and I don’t think I’ll ever not be in amazement with what some lived through.
When Jean put out the “Amber Box”, i was floored by all the beautiful words, gifts, donations and cards. I cried. A lot. Sometimes at the most random of times lol. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Those words aren’t enough, but thank you. Thank you for your kindness, support and love. Thank you and bless yall that listened to my weird stories and rants lol. I’ll miss you guys so much. It’s been amazing to be apart of this community and watch it grow.
While this isn’t goodbye to Jean and Shane (they’re stuck with me for the rest of time mwhaha!), it is goodbye on a huge chapter in my life. It hurts to say it, but also, I’m excited for what lies ahead of me. Thank you all for being apart of my adventure. I hope your lives are full of happiness, smiles, good books and love.
Amber
aka
The Girl with Blue Hair