Home Away from Home

A Home Away from Home

part one

Home. What could possibly compare with it? The people at another particular place would have to be to be warm, accepting, interested and supportive of your hopes or dreams. Usually family fulfills that role, but other institutions can place a close second. Venders at a farmer’s market find camaraderie with other venders and the their regular customers. That’s what I’ve been told. Nice, I thought skeptically. Then I began book signing at those markets. Warm morning greetings, shared disappointment over poor weather leading to low crowd turnouts and curiosity about each other’s products or services weaves a friendship bond. Advice is free. The best place to purchase a poster stand or a canvas cover for the stall is . . . . Another good market to go to is …. Can such an atmosphere be highly valued?

While I didn’t frequent any particular farmer’s market for an extended period of time to develop those strong attachments, I had the pleasure of witnessing hearty attachments among venders and some regular customers. 

In my novel, Baggage burdens. I used Thomas’ struggle to accept retiring as a farmer market vender to illustrate that strong ties can develop.

 “Lately Mark has been there helping Thomas,” explains Bill. “You know Thomas is seventy-one. He’s finding it difficult to set up for the market. The last two Saturday mornings I dropped by and helped him. Closing isn’t so bad for him. He has less produce. I told him one day he will have to give it up. He hates too. He’ll miss his customers. They’re his friends. Thomas will miss the other vendors too. He knows the life history of most of the regulars. I suggested finding someone else to share his kiosk like he did with Joseph. He liked it. That’s how Mark came into the picture.”

As May nears its conclusion, school plays become the main topic of conversation. Sarah drafts her all-too-willing mother into helping her memorize her lines. Amber cuts her holiday short to join the family for dress rehearsal. Bill promises to come. At Sarah’s urging, Jill phones to invite Rebecca.

Rebecca is pleased to hear Jill’s voice and the invitation to the play. Her only request is that they come on Saturday instead of Friday night. Her explanation for Saturday saddens Jill. Thomas misses the times he spent at the farmer’s market. He now looks for excuses to go to Camrose on Saturdays so he can visit venders he knew for years.

Joseph has similar misgivings about not selling at the market anymore.

 haiku capsule:                 

special attachments     

to patrons, fellow vendors

caring atmosphere

Next blog:  A Home Away from Home

             part 2              (church––another family home)