I was listening to Talk of the Nation on NPR yesterday and they were doing a segment on when you have been a “pinch hitter.” There were stories of a neurologist delivering a baby, a radio guest taking over for the radio host, a relative conducting a funeral when the minister did not show, etc. It was interesting to hear a how people were thrown into unexpected situations and how they performed under pressure.
I was trying to think of a time whenI had been a pinch hitter. The only one that came to mind was when Scott and I were cycling around Ireland. When we had finished with our bike tour of the western coast, we went to meet distant cousins of mine in Carrick-on-Suir. This was 1998 so letter writing was still alive and that’s how I had been communicating with my cousin. The evening before we were due to arrive, I called to tell them that we would be arriving on time and to make sure our plans to visit were still on.
My cousin William sounded a bit hesitant on the phone but still very corgially invited us to come stay with them. I was a bit mystified by the call but we made our way to Carrick-on-Suir all the same. Upon arrival, we discovered that all their kids were home for the weekend. We thought that the tight quarters explained the bit of hesitation during the phone call. And then we found out what was really going on.
Between our first round of letters back and forth, the Galvin’s decided that grocery stores had taken too much of the business from their bakery and it was time to close up shop. The bakery had been open for over 150 years and we just so happened to come the day before it was going out of business! We were horrified that our presence might make a already difficult weekend even harder. But, as it turned out, they needed as much help as they could get the next morning in the bakery.
Scott and I got to work on the bread slicer and loaded the fresh loaves into their wrappers, we helped bake pastries and cakes and helped taking orders. It was the one and only day I’ve ever worked in the bakery and it was a day I will always remember.
The bakery was packed that day even before the doors officially opened. It was absolutely amazing to see all of the townspeople making a point to come in on that last day. People had tears in their eyes, others brought bouquets of flowers and everyone bought something. Before noon they were completely sold out of all their baked goods. People were even buying the wrappers for the bread so that they would have a memento of the bakery. Everyone wanted something of Galvin’s Bakery on that last day.
Although I wish circumstances could have been different, I feel so fortunate to have been able to be a part of that day. It was bittersweet to see the effect the demise of an establishment with a 150 year history had on a small town and a family. But, it was a beautiful thing to be able to share in the creation of those memories.
My only regret is that I’m not quite sure where I packed away the photos of that trip!
I’d love to hear about when you have been a pinch hitter. Leave a comment about it and you’ll win a prize package worth at least $40.
Have a great weekend and a very happy Easter.
****** Edited April 12th A winner will be chosen on April 17th.
