when guests become family

Today, I let myself be vulnerable about this separation in a way that I knew was coming, but that I was dreading.   For the first time, today I told a returning guest that Jeremy and I have separated.

She’s stayed with me only once before, but I talk to her on the phone almost monthly it seems.  She’s been planning a trip for the 100 Mile Yard Sale this weekend, but sadly, her partner needs emergency surgery and they can’t make it.  She asked me if I was shopping or selling this year – because she remembered I’ve previously told her our strategy of alternating years that we shop for junk and years that we sell junk. 

I had to take a moment to compose myself, because a guest remembering something like that was so thoughtful.  And I told her I that sadly I would miss it this year.  She heard the crack in my voice, even though I tried my damnedest and said, “oh honey, why?”

And so the truth came out – I told her I had some major life changes going on and that Jeremy had left me.  She asked the same question that only my family hasn’t asked:  “Did you know this was coming?” (And we will talk about that here one day.  Today is not that day.)

 I told her I hadn’t. (Though every day that passes, I remember more and more details that should have been signs.)

And she kept on with the ‘Oh, honey’s’ and ‘I’m so sorry’.  And I kept my composure, and told her I was trying to stay optimistic.  That I was sad to miss events I used to love (I probably still love them, but you know, not right now, alone.) but that next year, I’d do them all and have a blast. 

And you know what she said?

“Honey if there is anything I can do to help you at home” (she lives nearby)”, you call me.  I know we don’t know each other that well but you feel like family…”

And in that moment, while keeping myself together for the guest on the phone (and probably my pride), I was mentally sobbing, touched beyond words. 

“Thank you”, I said.  “That’s exactly how I hope every guest feels when they choose In The Sticks Cabins.   It’s why I do this.”