I Never Got to Say Goodbye

I worked in a nail salon for almost eight years.

One of my regular customers was an older woman who came in every three weeks without fail.

She always asked for the same soft pink color and loved talking about her grandchildren.

Before she left, she would hug me and tell me to take care of myself because I worked too hard.

One month she missed her appointment.

I thought she was just traveling or feeling under the weather.

A few weeks later her daughter came into the salon alone.

She told me her mom had passed away peacefully in her sleep.

She said her mom always looked forward to her nail appointments because it made her feel beautiful and gave her someone to talk to.

I cried after she left.

That was the day I realized doing nails was never just about polish.

Sometimes we become part of someone's life without even knowing it.

I still think about her every time I see that same soft pink color.