While my holiday was well spent, I have a tendency to become nostalgic before the present has an opportunity to settle into being the past. I think this is a good thing but it also conjures up conflicting emotions. I was reminded, yet again, of the inevitability of change and how this change is ever constant. But--and perhaps this is selfish of me--there are some things that I just don't want to change.
Every year at Christmas I find a little something for myself and this year I found a semi-rare used book. With increasing popularity, I've been noticing more and more handheld devices like iPads and Kiddles that can store hundreds if not thousands of books right there at your finger tips. They really are amazingly convenient but, as for me, I still prefer actual books. I, of course, could have gone on Amazon to have purchased my book but this would have taken away from the experience I had.
While wandering through downtown Los Angeles, I discovered Caravan Book Store. It was stunning. Tucked away behind a Starbucks was this treasure trove of literature, history, art, poetry; a real plethora of varied topics. Everything was of considerable age and had been meticulously cared for over many years. Even the smell was that of which only a book store of this caliber could rightfully claim as being unique to the quality of care that has gone into the preservation of this establishment.
I found my particular book tucked away in a back corner and as if it had been waiting for me, I opened it and the first page I happened to see was the beginning of a chapter titled, "The Ethic of Gratitude." It was delightfully poignant. I left it at the register where the owner asked if it was a gift for someone to which I replied, "No. Thank you. It's just for me." I took in the store for another moment but when I returned to pay, my book had be wrapped as if it were for someone who cared deeply for such things. I believe this was just his standard practice but I had never experienced such care before from any retailer.
I know that it's just a book but the experience of discovering Caravan and purchasing that book only served to enhance my day and on Christmas eve, I unwrapped that book and enjoyed every moment of it. But for how much longer will stores and practices like this be available? I wish there was some federal guarantee of protection for such establishments but, sadly, a bookstore will never be as important as, say, a bank or an automotive manufacturer.
In the next 3 years Caravan will be celebrating it's 60th anniversary. It is my hope that it will be a Los Angeles fixture for many years to follow but we'll see what the economy presents.
I don't mean to give you a narrow perspective of what I'm nostalgic about but bookstores are something that I appreciate. Over the holiday, my grandmother made all of the gifts she gave me, of which there were two beautiful scarves and the beginnings of a blanket which she kept to continue working on. I love them because they are not only good looking, but they are from her. What I've realized is that 'Made by Grandma' is a label that, like the bookstore, does not have a continued production guarantee. I am fortunate to still have all of my grandparents but I want to make the best effort to appreciate who they are, what they have done and what they continue to do before my warm, comfortable present becomes a nostalgic past. In terms of currency, money holds no coin to time. Give of yourself and your time when you can. It will be appreciated.
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