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- Chris Fabry
- Married to Andrea since 1982. We have 9 children together and none apart. Our dog's name is Tebow.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
I took my sons to a used bookstore. No, a mega-used bookstore that sells musical instruments, movies, puzzles, T-shirts--I think they had a section of used cars I never reached. And everything was in really good shape.
I wandered through the fiction section, then into History and finally wound up in the "Spirituality" division. Lots of books about faith and belief and positive thinking and such. Then I spotted them. Three of my own books.
I pulled them off the shelf and took a picture of them to prove to my wife I actually found my books somewhere, then put them back and kept browsing.
An older woman happened by and stopped right where my books were located. She picked up a copy of "Borders of the Heart" and tucked it under her arm like it was her new best friend.
"You're not going to buy that, are you?" I said.
"Why, yes. He's one of my favorite authors. I just finished June Bug. And I'm this close to finishing...I can't remember the title now."
"Is it Dogwood?"
"No."
"Not in the Heart?"
"No."
"Almost Heaven?"
"Yes, that's the one. And after I get finished with it, I'm going to read it again because there's so much good stuff in there. I hear he lives around here."
I finally had to break the news to her that the person in front of her in sweats, a T-shirt, ratty shoes and an Arizona hat was said author and she smiled. I signed the book for her and she cradled it again and smiled.
I don't get royalties for books sold in used bookstores. But there are some perks worth more than financial gain. It was nice to meet you, Barbara. I hope our paths cross again.
I pulled them off the shelf and took a picture of them to prove to my wife I actually found my books somewhere, then put them back and kept browsing.
An older woman happened by and stopped right where my books were located. She picked up a copy of "Borders of the Heart" and tucked it under her arm like it was her new best friend.
"You're not going to buy that, are you?" I said.
"Why, yes. He's one of my favorite authors. I just finished June Bug. And I'm this close to finishing...I can't remember the title now."
"Is it Dogwood?"
"No."
"Not in the Heart?"
"No."
"Almost Heaven?"
"Yes, that's the one. And after I get finished with it, I'm going to read it again because there's so much good stuff in there. I hear he lives around here."
I finally had to break the news to her that the person in front of her in sweats, a T-shirt, ratty shoes and an Arizona hat was said author and she smiled. I signed the book for her and she cradled it again and smiled.
I don't get royalties for books sold in used bookstores. But there are some perks worth more than financial gain. It was nice to meet you, Barbara. I hope our paths cross again.
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5 comments:
Almost Heaven is one of my all time favorite books. I waxed poetic about it on my blog and then chose it in a short list of favorites at the end of last year.
My husband needed a book to read one evening and I told him I had that one on the Kindle, which he usually does not like using. But he started reading it and could not put it down. He absolutely loved it.
Although I like your other books very much, Almost Heaven is like remembering your first love with special affection. :)
Oh... and I absolutely adore used book stores for those old musty titles that make me sneeze. That's how I discovered Elizabeth Goudge books.
How delightful. Barbara has good taste: "Almost Heaven" is my favorite, too.
I listened to you on Midday Connection the other day and you said the following statement (not verbatim)that hit me square in the forehead, "When someone experiences pain they tend to run towards what comforts them, what fulfills them, instead of turning to God who holds greater things." I am wondering if you could comment on turning to God in the midst of pain. What do you think that looks like in a practical sense of everyday life.
Ginnie, Great question. This is basically what I write about in every fictional story I write--it's about pain and what pain can do in our hearts if we will allow it. If we don't allow it, the pain gets worse, usually. What turning to God looks like to me is that I sense a greater intensity of need of God. I realize I can't do what I want--I can't control things. Usually we want control and to finagle things. When you turn to God, you begin to realize you are no longer in control and you start living in light of that reality. I can't give you a list of 10 things, but I think reading the Bible, prayer, worship becomes more important--you make it a bigger priority. Hope that helps.
Such a heartwarming story, thanks for sharing Chris.