Snookie's Story

Anybody who has spent time with Evelyn Roseland knows the one thing she told everyone who crossed her path:

"Bless your heart."

This isn't a groundbreaking phrase, and obviously not one she coined herself. Just a way to let those around her know that she cared deeply for them.  It didn't need to be just family, she would say it to her friends, her grandkids' friends, her neighbors, and even a random person in front of her at the bank.  She would make sure anyone who crossed her path knew that she would wish the best for them.

But she didn't need to say that at all. Because the one thing my Grandma Snookie could do better than anyone was to make those around her feel blessed.  Whether it was just her warm smile, her contagious laugh, or the pride she beamed while telling complete strangers of her grandkids' accomplishments, Grandma Snookie was a walking beam of sunshine.  She was the greatest woman I have ever known, and I highly doubt I am alone in saying that.

Growing up, we went to Grandma's house a lot.  She was consistently the one who would babysit us on sick days, or if my parents wanted a date night to themselves.  Looking back on it now, past the things I used to focus on then (her giant basement where my brothers and I would play video games and have wrestling matches, the trips we would take to DQ so we could get ice cream (a thinly veiled way for Snookie to use us as an excuse to appease her own vicious sweet tooth), and baking together while we watched the Price is Right), I noticed one other thing that I didn't pay much attention to at the time:

Snookie always had a book with her.

Now, Grandma didn't make books her whole personality, nor was she one of those "no tv, read a book" people.  I think that's how I was able to overlook it for so long. But I do constantly remember her talking to my mom, or her friends, or whoever else was over (it felt like the whole town knew her!) about the newest James Patterson book.  She also used to take me to the library to get a movie (I really wasn't a book kid), but now I'm realizing this was probably a way for her to get the books she was wanting.

When I was starting to get into reading, I was upset it took me so long.  Not just because I missed out on a whole medium of art for a good chunk of my life, but also because I wish I could've shared this new love of mine with the love she clearly had for years. 

Don't get me wrong, I have no regrets about my time with Grandma Snookie. She got to see me grow up, get married, and meet her newest great granddaughter.  Living just down the street, I would see her at least once a week (usually more) when I would just stop by to chat, and bring her some coffee ice cream.  We would chat about anything and everything we could think of: The Cubs, Survivor, life plans, old family stories.  I just wish we could've shared this hobby we both had, just at different points in our lives.

When deciding what to name this bookstore, it seemed pretty simple to me. I could let Snookie live on in the town that she loved, find a way to share books with my grandma, and pay homage to the greatest woman, grandma, and friend I have ever known.

I can only hope that this bookstore will make even half the amount of people feel loved as Evelyn "Snookie" Roseland did.  I hope we can become a way for people to connect over a great story, whether it be friends, family, neighbors, or maybe some new friends you meet at a bookclub or while reading the same book.  Maybe even a new generation of grandkids with their grandparents, finding different stories to share on page and in life.

Thank you so much for checking out our little store. I'm so glad to have you here, and I know Snookie would be so proud.  I can almost hear her as she would say to every customer visiting our store:

Bless your heart.