For some folks, it is Free Comic Book Day.

For me it is ten past two in the morning, so that day has passed.

It got me thinking about a few things though.

I remember when I was just a kid and I went into an arts supply shop to get a sketchbook with my mom and the guy at the counter got to chatting with us. He mentioned this awesome comic book store that was worth checking out and told us how to find it. I had been to several comic book shops but the dude said it was one of the best in the city.

So we went.

And it was.

But here is the thing. The owner, though quiet and not overly talkative, loved when kids showed interest in comics. He clearly loved comic books, and I think that he wanted to pass that on to the kids that walked through the door to his store. He did't care when the kids browsed the shop, or sat down to read in his store, and when they did buy something, he gave them a discount, just the kids. I owe a lot of my imaginative development and my love from comics and narrative to that shop because I spent so much time going there. I sunk a tone of my precious allowance in that place and I honestly don't regret it at all.

It used to be me begging my mom, when my little brother and I were visiting her, to take me to Phoenix Comics, and thanking her patience because I loved to take my time. When I was older, I would wait until I was visiting my mom and then walk or take the bus from her place to the comic book store. Eventually, I just went whenever I felt. I lived with my dad and the trip was a lengthy one to make, but that store was the only one I would go to for the longest time because it was the one that showed me a lot of love when I was a kid.

I don't have a career in comics, nor am I looking for one really. I love my job. But I do really appreciate the owners of these comic book stores who see these kids and want to open them up to a whole world of imagination. It is awesome stuff.

My hats off to you.