Megan did not grow up in a religious home—though there were
several churches in the small Midwestern town of her childhood. She had fond memories of activities local
churches planned for children and young adults—hay rides and wiener roasts. She also loved the stories about Jesus’ love
and the parables she heard at Vacation
Bible School. But by the time college came around she’d
left behind any interest in church.
Jonathan’s family
was orthodox Jew, but he left synagogue attendance to his parents and siblings
and had no interest in those practices in his own family. After Emily was born both Hanukkah and
Christmas were recognized, but with little attention to detail other than the
menorah and a Christmas tree. There was
little or no religious significance placed upon these practices unless Emily
had a question.
A college roommate had
recommended several books by Deepak Chopra, but Megan didn’t want to take the
time with all the other reading required in college. However, when her roommate moved out of their
apartment she left several books of eastern philosophy. Megan—who could never see a book thrown
away—packed them up with her things but didn’t discover them until several
years later.
One morning, when
Emily was a baby, Megan found the books in the back of their bedroom closet. She spent the next several months reading
them when Emily took her naps. From that
time on, Megan’s interests tended to lean more toward eastern thought—walking
the journey to mindfulness and authenticity.
But she rarely talked about this to anyone.
Megan had no idea
where Roland Fisher’s ideas came from—they certainly didn’t represent her
experience as a child.
Megan finished
the spring book order and had five minutes to spare before she took off for
Diane’s to speak at the local book club.
Diane Freedmen, a
woman about Megan’s age, had stopped by to introduce herself several weeks
before Megan opened her shop. Diane, a very
talented visual artist, had a graphic arts business she ran from her home; a
venture she had only contemplated before her husband was killed in a car
accident three years ago. Now raising
her two, very active six and eight year sons, Jeremy and Jordan, along with
running her business took most of her time.
About six months
after Megan opened the Book ‘n Brew, Diane told Megan she wanted to start a
book club. “But you’re already so busy
with your B & B”—Diane’s nickname for Boys and Business.
“Yes, but I want to do more reading.
Before Karl died I read a lot. Besides
I need more female contact, and it could help advertise your shop.”
“Well, it’s true that you need to get out,” Megan chided Diane, “but I
wouldn’t want people to think I was cornering them into buying from me. Another idea might be for me to come
occasionally and make suggestions on new books on the market.”
“Great idea,
Megan!”
And that’s how it all began. Every few months, Megan met with the group of
eight to twelve women.
To be continued...
No comments:
Post a Comment