32 Comments
User's avatar
Kevin Virostek's avatar

Maggie I have never cried when reading a story about a Party City sales clerk but damnit I have now!! Beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing and I know Josie is smiling about that one.

Restless Egg's avatar

Kevin, that is the nicest comment. Many thanks

Shemaiah Gonzalez's avatar

Thank you for all of this. All of it.

Jackie  Breen's avatar

I am so very sorry for your loss Maggie. I am sure Josie must have been wonderful and I look forward to learning more about her.

As I finish up my shopping today I will be thinking about your words. There are many good souls out there:)

Wishing you and your beautiful family a Merry Christmas.

Restless Egg's avatar

Thanks Jackie, so kind of you. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Trish Rawlings's avatar

Maggie, from what you write I don't know who was the luckier--you to have had your splendid Josie or she to have had you to share her wonderfulness with. OK--you were BOTH equally lucky recipients of each other!! (Now why does that sound like a line from The Office?) Seriously, you write of her beautifully--I can't wait to read more about her!

Meg Stenger's avatar

Thank you for sharing Margie and merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family. I always look forward to your stories. ❤️

Meg Stenger's avatar

Maggie, sorry!

Restless Egg's avatar

Thanks Meg, really appreciate that

Joan's avatar

Really touching and so heartwarming too, Maggie.

Michelle V's avatar

Beautifully written! Every person comes into our life for a reason - no matter how short or long the time.

Restless Egg's avatar

Thanks, Michelle. You know.

Katherine Corden's avatar

Maggie your writing is a gift! I found this so nostalgic, and it made me want to exclusively shop in person again, since that has slowly and also quickly become a lost act! Bless the sales people - I had that exact “where are your glue sticks” moment at Joann’s the other day and am always shook they know in an instant which aisle.

I’m so sorry for your loss. Your sister is beautiful and sounds like an incredible person. Im always aspiring to be more like those amazing people that never complain!!

Restless Egg's avatar

I was referring to Joann's actually....those folks are like British cab drivers....their mind is a map.

Thanks for your kind comments about Josie. I know you are close to your sister and treasure that friendship.

Renee Rapson's avatar

A nice tribute to your sister. I can’t wait to read more about Josie!

Julia Ralston's avatar

Thank you. I needed that. I, too, am now thinking of compassionate sales people- especially one particular grocery store store cashier who sympathetically listened while I shared a loss. She lifted me up.

Restless Egg's avatar

I forgot about the grocery cashiers....they see a lot come down the belt and so often are incredibly kind

Karen Graham's avatar

Hi Maggie, wow! So much to talk about here! What an amazing piece. I laughed (omg, Party City as a preview of hell! 100%!). I work in retail, and so that part resonated. Most of us try hard to be the good ones, even though it’s sometimes hard, because, well, you know…customers! And I cried. I’m so sorry that you lost your sister. There are no words. I wish you a holiday filled with love and family!

Restless Egg's avatar

Thank you Karen....for being a great retailer and for your kind comments.

Kelly Martin's avatar

Maggie I am so sorry for your loss. This was beautifully written. Sending love.

Restless Egg's avatar

Thanks Kelly. You know what sister love means

Maureen Hathway's avatar

You knocked it out of the park. xo

Restless Egg's avatar

Thanks Katie! Great to hear from you!

Restless Egg's avatar

Thanks Trish. If you had known her for even 5 minutes, the answer would be clear

Restless Egg's avatar

Thanks to you, Shemaiah--I appreciate the re-posting. And enjoying your travelogue