Monday, December 17, 2007

HOPE is a four letter word

First off, thank you everyone who left a kind message regarding my last post. It does a gals heart good to be told how well she can write. I humbly thank y'all.

I try to avoid writing about family members and those close to me. I feel this is akin to stepping over a line called friendship and perhaps even ethics. It sucks at times when I have such a juicy story I am dying to tell! The only family person I will write about (besides Joe and I tell him every) is Bridget. She is the type of person that when I mention Blog she says, "What???"....so

Last week a light bulb not only went off above my head, fireworks, dancing the polka, tossing back chocolate-tinis and throwing knives also accompanied the sudden parting of the fog!

I had decided to give her for Christmas jewelry-beading lessons.

The girl is good with her hands. Her Dad made his living making dental crowns and the such so she has inherited the gift. One of her first jobs was making one of original fast food "wraps" (a good ten years ago) and she was always put on the Wrap line because she was excellent at this particular composition. It has manifested itself in various ways years before, and after. I just was not paying particular attention.

She is in a series struggle to find her way in life. Going to school is not an options as she is just not.....let's say she is class room averse.

I never felt so brilliant in my life. And so late in being brilliant.

I have been canvassing all the Bead shops, craft shops and any small shop on Bardstown Road that may offer lessons. Today I hit the jackpot, and she was even with me! I had taken her out to lunch to give her a pep talk and good meal. She begged to hang out with me (how could I say no) so I told her what I was up to.

As we drove past the shop she turned to me and said, "Dad's friend owns this shop, I think. One time he was going to ask Sandy to hire me."

And yes it was Sandy! And yes they do have private lessons that are very reasonable and progressive. Bridget was in love as we entered the store and began to study all the beads, baubles, stones, strings and rocks....

I talked to Sandy. "How did you get into this business?'

10 minutes later.................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bridget said later she felt so bad for me, she should have warned me ahead of time how ponderous he could be at times.

I was just glad he started in the middle and did not start out telling me where he was born, how much he weighed, and where he went to grammar school, high school, took music lessons......blah blah blah.

What a story!

I could have told it in two paragraphs. It took him a lot longer.

But, I have hope and it feels so good. It feels like a warm wonderfulness in the mid section. She and I had an exquisite talk on the way to drop her off. Already we have a web site and so many art shows lines up in our heads.

If enthusiasm begets success that kid has a road opening up for her.

Just, never ask Sandy anything personal. Unless you have an afternoon to kill.

11 comments:

Chris said...

I love the idea of services, like the bead lessons, as gifts for several reasons. It is unique. It adds value to the receiver, such as in this case, learning a skill that can never be taken away. Finally, a service gift usually shows that you carefully throught about the gift and know the recipient.

Great idea!

Becky said...

I love this idea too. I wish someone would gift me with guitar lessons. Just getting out of the house for an hour or two a couple times a week would be worth it. LOL I have a couple friends who started home based jewelry design businesses and did pretty well for themselves. Good look to B.

Lisa :-] said...

Well, good luck to the lovely daughter! And you get Mom-points for being so stoked about the opportunity...

AC said...

I dream of this day, when success is in my girls hands and sight. Good mom story.

Becky said...

I found the coolest site today and thought of you guys...for B's new business. www.etsy.com it's a homemade products seller's marketplace. I just bought homemade christmas cookies on there. Next I'm going to look to commission a quilt and possibly some baby clothes.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea and great gift to give. I hope she enjoys this and if she starts making more than she can use, also consider selling online!

I should send a photograph of a bracelet I have and want to get in other colors. I always get a lot of compliments.

Monica
http://journals.aol.com/monicasmemoirs/midnight-conversations/

V said...

Hey! Nice to read you again, through Robbie.
V

Jack Greening said...

Thank you visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Like you say it's always appreciated to get them because you always wonder, at least I do, if what you are writing is improving. I think what you did is trully the best gift of all because it showed that you cared enough to give a gift that would provide encouragement and joy to the recipient. It took thought and concern to find the perfect gift. Kudos to ya'll.

Headgirl said...

Merry Christmas to you!

Blue

nonizamboni said...

Write on, friend!
And happy, happy days in the new year to you.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year--bead lessons make a perfect gift