Our new free community library space for Let’s Open a Book, which we’ve been slowly setting up over the last month, opens in a few hours. The inauguration is going to be a humble event, but I’m anxious. I’m sitting here alone, mentally reviewing the arrangements for the day. I can’t help but think of all the unchecked boxes on my long to-do list, things which we wanted to have for our new space but couldn’t, due to various constraints.
A friend reminded me over our call last night that this space is a labor of love, and I couldn’t agree more. Over the past few weeks people have been pouring their love into this space – by painting murals, by fixing hardware, by carrying boxes in and out, by sending gifts, arranging books and even by mopping floors and running ad-hoc errands. I know that when kids walk into the space, they will feel all the love. And I know that despite all the imperfections, they’re going to find the library to be beautiful. I’m proud of what I’ve built.
I think of my own imperfections too, and how I’ve worked on myself over the years. But I know that the bravest thing that I’ve learnt to do is to love myself and to embrace my imperfections graciously. I’m so grateful to have people around me who think I’m beautiful despite all my flaws. But most importantly, I know that I’m proud of who I’ve become.