TRIBUTE TO BEV SHAW
This week our community lost a part of its heart in the passing of Bev Shaw. I will miss her beautiful smile and welcoming presence not only in her Talewind Book Store but at the Festival of the Written Arts and anywhere else that the written arts were celebrated. I am grateful that I was one of those who shared the privilege of knowing her.
BEV SHAW
She didn’t sell books,
She treasured books,
Knew them intimately
And treated them all
Like friends—old, dear,
And newly acquainted.
She didn’t help writers,
She championed the written arts,
Celebrated every author’s success,
And created spaces on her shelves
And in her windows
For their books.
She didn’t seek the spotlight,
Though it was often cast
In her direction,
But she happily pushed
Those she admired
To step into its glow.
She didn’t greet people,
She welcomed them in
With her generous smile
And genuine interest
That put them instantly
At ease.
She didn’t just exist,
She made each day brighter
Every event run smoother,
And all she met
Feel better about themselves
And their work.
It will take many forevers
To fill the emptiness
Her passing has left
In the hearts and lives
Of those who were privileged
To share her world.
This week our community lost a part of its heart in the passing of Bev Shaw. I will miss her beautiful smile and welcoming presence not only in her Talewind Book Store but at the Festival of the Written Arts and anywhere else that the written arts were celebrated. I am grateful that I was one of those who shared the privilege of knowing her.
BEV SHAW
She didn’t sell books,
She treasured books,
Knew them intimately
And treated them all
Like friends—old, dear,
And newly acquainted.
She didn’t help writers,
She championed the written arts,
Celebrated every author’s success,
And created spaces on her shelves
And in her windows
For their books.
She didn’t seek the spotlight,
Though it was often cast
In her direction,
But she happily pushed
Those she admired
To step into its glow.
She didn’t greet people,
She welcomed them in
With her generous smile
And genuine interest
That put them instantly
At ease.
She didn’t just exist,
She made each day brighter
Every event run smoother,
And all she met
Feel better about themselves
And their work.
It will take many forevers
To fill the emptiness
Her passing has left
In the hearts and lives
Of those who were privileged
To share her world.
