Friday, June 18, 2010

Meet Carolyn

I thought of you, my readers, the other day. Because I met someone, and I knew you’d like her. She was real, and I knew right off I wanted to introduce her.
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Her name is Carolyn. She came into the salon, where my mom and I were getting pedicures. She said she was from out of town, had some time, could she squeeze in for a pedi?

It was a rather curious thing. What was she doing in this small place, on this casual afternoon?
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As we waited—my mom for me, me for my toes, Carolyn for her turn—we began to talk, as idle women do, and the question came up. So what brought you here?
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She was so sweet, so unassuming about it, but honest and real about it, too.
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“I’ve brought my little girl,” she said.
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A little girl, we learned, who lost her mom nine years ago. Whose dad didn’t want (or even claim) her. A little girl—in her teens now—Carolyn took in, making her family, and who'd wanted a summer trip to her hometown, to see her childhood friends.
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So they’d traveled from one midwest state to another, for the weekend. And while the little girl had time with her friends, Carolyn had time to herself.

First on the list? A pedicure.
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...A woman worth meeting, don't you think?
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**I asked Carolyn if I could take her picture, because I was so taken with her, and her story. Could I write about her, too? She was so kind to humor me. Thank you, Carolyn. Best to you and your family.

29 comments:

Tabitha Bird said...

Sweet story. Most people are interesting if you dig a little. This gal was surely worth meeting. :)

April Plummer said...

Very sweet story. I'm so glad she allowed you to write about her and share her story with us. What a great way to start out my Friday morning!

Jessica Nelson said...

That's so sweet! I really admire people who take others in and have such loving, giving hearts.
Hope the pedicures went well. :-)

Joanne said...

Everyone has such a unique and beautiful story. I guess there's a book in all of us, in some way. Thanks for sharing Carolyn's.

Terri Tiffany said...

I would have spoken to her as well and listened to her story. And I know you are the kind of person who would have--glad you did-- I bet you made her day:)

Analisa said...

Love this God bless Carolyn and those like her.

Janet Johnson said...

What a sweet story! There are so many amazing people in the world. :)

Deb Shucka said...

"As we waited—my mom for me, me for my toes, Carolyn for her turn—we began to talk, as idle women do," I love this line!

What a great story about an amazing trio of women. Thank you for sharing. Ah, the power of pedicures.

Jill Kemerer said...

Wow, what a wonderful woman. And how sweet that the girl could go home to see her friends? People astound me with their generosity.

patti said...

Oh, I LOVEEEE this! God sets so many Divine Appointments.

They so enrich our lives, don't they?

Blessings,
Patti

the domestic fringe said...

You never know who you're gonna meet! What a wonderful woman.
-FringeGirl

Melissa Amateis said...

The grace and strength of some people just amazes me. Thanks for sharing Carolyn's story, Janna. :-)

Lori said...

Life stories. They are so rich when you take the time to listen.

Diane said...

Beautiful heart. Hugs to her and her family! :O)

batsick said...

Haha! How ironic isn't it? Well, that's God's way of saying to you "what a twist!"

Karen Lange said...

What a nice story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Blessings for the weekend,
Karen

Karen said...

Aww, bless her dear heart. Thanks for sharing this.

septembermom said...

What a very sweet story. I love to see how there are wonderful stories right in front of us waiting to be "opened."

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Yes a sweet sweet story.

Angie Muresan said...

What a sweet and real woman, Carolyn is. Blessings to her and her little girl.

Debbie said...

What an engaging story. I can certainly see why you were attracted to this woman.

Glynis Peters said...

Isn't it wonderful when we meet a good person, who makes an impact upon our lives, even for a brief moment? Lovely story.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Janna -

What a nice lady! It reminds me of the saying that everyone has a story.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Josie said...

Hi Janna,
My name is Josie and I am the little girl in the story. I wanted to thank you for sharing my story and making it into something that people can apply to their everyday lives. Great job!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Josie, how sweet of you to come by. Thanks for your comment! I hope you have a great summer. :)

Thanks, everyone, for the nice things you've said.

Capri K @ No Whining Allowed said...

A little kiss on the cheek from God!
What a loverly opportunity to meet someone new.

Kathryn Magendie said...

*smiling* . . . as I read this , a breeze came in and pushed at me and the sun came out full and sweet - ahhhh -lovely words for lovely people for lovely day

Nadine said...

Love this story - made me smile!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

What a wonderful woman and how cool that you got to hear her story. I love meeting people like that.