Call Me Inexplicable

When was the last time you had an emotional reaction that was inexplicable to you?

Early today, I was in The Tattered Cover here in Denver, possibly the coolest bookstore I've ever been in. While sitting in the music section in a really comfortable old chair, next to large windows, looking up at the tall ceiling, I noticed there was no background music playing. It was wonderfully quiet.

In my experience, this kind of quiet is unusual in a retail space so I sought out an employee to ask if this was a purposeful business choice. And I had other questions about the terrific store. But in the middle of what seemed like a mundane exchange with two employees, my eyes suddenly filled with tears. I might have been saying something about being a musician but still loving the quiet in the store. Or it may have been when the employee near my age answered a question about how long he worked there by saying he'd left a job he hated 12 years ago to find work where he'd have fun. I don't recall. Before I further embarrassed myself  (and scared  these two guys), I apologized for my water-filled eyes and quickly walked away.

Too much coffee for breakfast? A space filled with books & quiet? My 40 year long midlife crisis rearing its head, again? Like I said - inexplicable. I'm "saving" face: This post will not go to my Facebook network. But reliable or regular readers, please: Share with me (online or off) a similar experience of yours. I'll feel better knowing I'm not alone. Really.