Of books and coffee and a most wonderfully kind barista

Two of my favorite smells on earth are freshly brewed coffee and books! Imagine my delight when I opened the door at Thornwell Books in Morganton to be entranced with the combined aroma of espresso and millions of printed pages waiting to be read.

I had never been in this quaint bookstore. My many intentions of visiting had fallen by the wayside for the past several years as family illness and recovery took up most of my time.

I adore reading, but spare time is limited these days as so many other “things” along with work clamor for my attention. Then when I have time, I just want to sleep! Go figure ...

One of my favorite authors, Sarah Loudin Thomas, hosted a book signing recently at Thornwell’s featuring her latest work “These Blue Mountains.” I had learned of her visit and had every intention of going; however, I unfortunately wasn’t able to attend the event.

Sarah writes historical fiction, and I had read her book “These Tangled Threads” and became hooked on her writing. The novel is based on those who were employed to serve the Biltmore House in Asheville in the early 1900s, including weavers and carpenters; and their lives during and following the Great Flood of 1916.

The day after the book signing, I emailed Sarah expressing my disappointment at not getting to meet her and failing to obtain a signed copy of her latest novel. She quickly responded that she had signed several copies of the book that remained at Thornwell’s.

Well, that was all fine and good, but I wanted a personalized copy … Darn it! I proceeded to email her back and told her my wishes, to which she replied she would gladly send me a personalized book plate in the mail. How wonderful!

Knowing what a book hound I am, a friend had graciously given me a Thornwell Books gift card for my birthday … I don’t know, last year or maybe it was the year before.

As I said, I hadn’t had the opportunity to cash it in. So, I was super excited to finally be able to use it. I had briefly glanced at it and saw a date of 5/20/2023. I thought to myself, I’ve had this for more than two years so it’s about time I used it!

My mom and I visited the downtown bookstore on a Saturday. There was quite a crowd there as we weaved our way through to the coffee counter. The barista was busy creating all kinds of wonderful-looking liquid concoctions, while Mom and I were checking out cookies and other yummy delights in the baked goods section.

Once free, I asked the barista about Sarah’s signed book; praying there was at least one left. She left the coffee bar momentarily and returned with my signed copy. Hooray!

She proceeded to ring it up and I proudly stated, “I have a gift card!” I handed her the card and something of an odd expression crossed her brow when she enlightened me that the date of 5/20/2023 was not a purchase date but instead was an expiration date.

Yikes!

If I had paid any attention to the card, I would not have presented it for my purchase. She was so very kind though … she told me she would honor the card but told me going forward that gift cards expired one year from the purchase.

Not only did she honor the amount on my expired card, but she even gave me a credit because the book’s cost was less than my card amount. Wow! How nice was that?

My first visit to Thornwell Books truly was a terrific experience. The young lady that waited on me didn’t have to honor a more than two-years expired gift card, but … she did.

Lovingly known as the ‘Golden Rule’, Matthew 7:12 states, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you …” Luke 6:31 mirrors this by saying “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”

Unfortunately, I realize that by adhering to the Golden Rule, things don’t always pan out for us. Sometimes when we feel we’ve gone the extra mile to be nice to someone to only get indifference or contempt in return, it hurts.

That doesn’t mean though that we allow that person to pull us down into their pity party. We continue to do what we know in our heart is right and not seek revenge. The old saying “Two wrongs don’t make a right” is the absolute truth.

In closing, I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Thornwell Books and to the sweet lady who so graciously exhibited the Golden Rule by accepting my “two years expired” gift card. You made my day!

Oh, and by the way, Sarah Loudin Thomas made good on her promise to send me a personalized book plate for my autographed edition. I’m a happy girl!!

Until we read again …