A compassionate Tale From The Library

Though this quote sums up how I’ve felt for the past couple of weeks, there is a bright spot in the midst of the despair. Her name is Annabelle. Annabelle is a library patron who fancies herself a blonde Scarlett O’Hara.

She disdains Yankees, longs to sing Dixie in the library, and is wrecked over her precious confederate statues being taken down. In short, she’s quite a handful. (Her friend Suzy apologizes for her at times, but can’t control her.) And in being a bit challenging, Annabelle also afforded me an opportunity.

She gave me the opportunity to practice compassion. Though I vehemently disagree with her views, I was able to listen to her without getting triggered. I was able to stay professional while still engaging with her. I didn’t look at her like she was crazy or not deserving of my time. However, when she started talking about her beloved statues, I excused myself and went back to my desk. So I was also able to set a boundary, which she respected. So. Much. Practice. And I was grateful for it.

I guess I made an impression because her friend Suzy called me a while later to tell me that Annabelle realized that she tended to be sassy in the library and that maybe she should stick to topics like fashion and other more neutral issues from now on. That maybe singing Dixie in the library would be disruptive to other patrons, which I mentioned earlier, and that she liked me, despite my Yankeeness. Then Suzy said Annabelle wanted me to find some children’s books for her on General Lee and Stonewall Jackson. “I’d be happy to, “ I told Suzy.

Here’s the best part of the story…..Annabelle is a doll.

But in my mind, she deserved to be treated like any other patron because Suzy needs to be treated like any other patron. All any of us want is acceptance, some love, and to be forgiven our craziness, which we all have in varying degrees.

My colleagues were amazed at my interaction with Annabelle and the resulting phone call. None of them had ever considered treating Annabelle as if she were human. But the effect on Suzy was undeniable. (I’m not deluded enough to assume it’ll result in long term change.) And a few colleagues might even try it next time Suzy comes in.

So in these crazy making times, try your best to feel compassion for those whose views make you want to vomit. Be more patient with your dog who’s barking more than you’d like because he’s picking up on the craziness around him. Accept and engage the little kid who looks like a boy, but dresses like a girl.

Got a good story about a time you were given an opportunity to practice compassion? Or when you went out of your way to make someone, or something, feel accepted? PLEASE SHARE WITH ME BY COMMENTING ON THIS POST.

Radical Resources From the Library: Wanna be naughty? Read a banned book in honor of Banned Book Week. Go here to see the American Library Association’s List of Banned Books.

YouTube Vid of the Week: Me doing my first readaloud for Banned Book Week. Click the image and enjoy. (There are other readalouds from the rest of my crew on my library’s YouTube channel too.)