Countdown to Christmas 2024…Day 5

Sarah calls it “my little French store.” I have loved this shoppe since I first stumbled upon it one day as I made my way down a quaint nook in our downtown called Merchant Street. 

A little over ten years ago, I was involved in helping sell the jewelry at church that is made by our Maasai friends to raise funds for their women’s ministry. One day the owner of this oasis in the marketplace approached me and asked if she could sell some in her store.

What store is that I asked?

And suddenly I was face to face with the heart and soul of all that is Tournesol. 

“Turn to the sun” is the English translation for Tournesol. But she will smile her sweet smile and tell you that for her, it is really turn to the Son, that inspired her with this name. 

From our first encounter, God opened the door, literally for me to become part of the team that runs this haven and now this chapter is closing for us. 

When Kim told me she would be retiring in 2025, there were tears. And there have been more tears as we think about 2025. But each time, we have bravely hugged and said we will allow the tears, but we will also have the best last year ever. 

The Christmas Walk last night, where the stores and restaurants are filled with holiday shoppers wearing Santa hats and greeting one another, was bittersweet. We even had a visit from the “Hot Cocoa” girls from a local dance studio troop in and delight us.

We two introverts hung out behind the counter, while our husbands manned the main floor area.

Kim and Kevin’s daughter Anne was her usual adorable self and kept our spirits up while sharing both the laugher and the tears. 

I spoke with someone yesterday about how grief carves deeper places for joy and joy carves deeper places for grief.

The years I have been blessed to work with and for this dear lady have carved wonderfully rich places in my heart. 

Best. Job. Ever.