Never Can Say Goodbye

What's that saying about the best laid plans? The emergency staff meeting last month ended up being a notification instead of a preparation. I learned that unless a major source of funding comes through, the three branches and the bookmobile will cease operations by year's end. Worse than that, I was informed that my beloved Outreach Program was being discontinued, effective immediately. I have spent the last three weeks breaking the news to my devoted senior patrons, collecting outstanding materials, tying up loose ends, and saying goodbye. My patrons won't know me in a professional capacity any longer. I will no longer bring them books, movies, and CDs to help them pass the time enjoyably. As of October 30, these wonderful people will no longer be my patrons. They'll simply be my friends. You see, I've spent a year getting to know these people - really getting to know them. I know who lives alone. I know who likes mysteries and who likes romances. I know who cross-stitches and who knits. I know who likes musicals and who likes comedies. I know who reads books on CD and who needs books on tape. I know who is battling a serious illness and who is losing the fight. I know who has relatives who visit regularly, and I also know who doesn't. I've been a witness to their lives, and they've been one to mine. They tease me about my noisy cart. They ask about my children. They fuss over pictures of my dog. They fret when I am sick. We bonded over books initially, but that common thread wove itself into a real and lasting fabric of friendship. The loss of the outreach program is sad, but fortunately, our investments in each other as people and as friends remain secure.