Here is a new catagory for everyone…. “Damn Good Lemonade”. What is DGL? Basically, DGL is the result of taking what was handed to you as lemons and you turned around and made … not just lemonade with them ….. but DAMN good lemonade.
Time and time again I’m amazed at how many people I’ve had the opportunity and honor to meet that have wonderful and fasinating life stories. I don’t know what it is about me — but it never fails, give me some time with a stranger and I’ll know their story. You know what…. I love it! I have met some of the most fascinating people with fascinating lives. My best stories are the ones where people have made “damn good lemonade” …. so, here it is .. my first story to share!
L.A. (as I will call her through out this post) and I met on a sticky sunny day here in Arkansas. LA was the Marketing Director for a place I was to tour for my clients who were coming into town. As I trudged my way up half a mountain (that’s what we call them here in Arkansas) and entered the front doors of the establishment, I had no idea the next few hours would be so fascinating. As I met up with the receptionist and asked for LA , I was then escorted to a board room. Yes, this would be just like all the other meetings…. a sales pitch with a power point, maybe some swag … (big sigh) but this was my job and I do it with a smile!
LA walks in and is a very posh lady, that I would say to be in her mid to late 50′s, funky short hair along with a great smile and chic outfit. I suddenly felt a little self conscience with my all-black look realizing she pulls off the teal silk jacket with elegant flair! LA sits down and starts her sales pitch … great place…. people love it…. yada, yada, yada! We then head off to a short tour and a lunch that’s waiting for us.
LA and I sit down and start to put aside the business talk and find out a little about our backgrounds. LA proceeded to tell me what brought her to Arkansas. This set of “what brought you to Arkansas?” is a very common question to people here as so many people find their way to Arkansas for so many various reasons. LA was working in Real Estate in New Mexico, she had gone through a bad divorce and as most women do, drowned herself in her work for the following 5 years after her divorce. It was work that actually became a turning point in her life.
LA and two of her colleagues were set to fly out to Colorado to look at some investment real esate. The night prior to their departure to Colorado, LA decided to run to the store to pick up some snacks. On her way home from the store, she was broad-sided by a drunk driver who drove through a red light. LA was so battered, bruised and sore from the ordeal, she called her co-workers, informed them what had happened and cancelled her trip out to Colorado with them for the next day. The next day ….. her co-workers plane crashed and all aboard died.
As I sat there I got the chills…. I knew some times bad things happen in our lives to save us from even worse things and this story was a case in point.
Our lunch was interupted by the wait staff checking on us…… LA then continued. The thought of her not being on that plane by getting hit the night before did something to her….. She did not handle it well according to her and understandably so. She was then told by a friend to head to the ocean … anywhere she could sit by the ocean … the calmness of the water, the waves, the sand they said would help calm her and bring her back to her center. So — she headed out on a vacation to Mexico finding her way to a Bed and Breakfast where she could enjoy some time to herself. On her second day there, LA had the thought that this was a beautiful place and what was holding her back from trying it out to live there? That day the B&B host asked her if she wanted to attend a local party of some Americans that were living in the area. Eager to meet more people she agreed and went to the party. While there she met a lady who owned a home in the city and needed a house sitter while she traveled back to the US. Guess who got the gig for house sitting in Mexico??? LA got her wish and for 6 months was a house sitter, rent free, in a home in Mexico.
After her 6 months, she returned home to New Mexico going right back into her routine. Still in the back of her mind she heard that nagging voice telling her she needed a change. What was holding her back? Her home. One day while outside doing lawn work a man walked up and started chit-chatting with her. He then pointed to her home and said, “you know I’ve always liked this home, if you are ever interested in selling it, please let me know.” Her nagging voice in her head gasped….. she replied “Well, I was considering selling — what would you give me for it?”. His offer astounded her – being in real estate, she knew he was giving her one heck of deal. That money now financed her move to Mexico … she was on her way.
After some time. LA got a position in Real Estate. While doing an “open house” at the condo complex she was working at, in walked her next husband. I say next husband becuase instantly when he walked in, their eyes met and they both fell instantly in love. Who says “love at first site” doesn’t exist… I truly believe it does and even more so now! LA and her next husband have been married and found their way here in Arkansas to be closer to family.
LA’s story should teach us to follow our instincts and follow what we hear that nagging voice telling us what we know we already want. Always remember, even when bad things happen to us, they always have a purpose in our life! It’s up to us how we handle those things… fight it and lose or listen and learn.
I’m still going to stay in contact with LA …. she’s a great lady and a very colorful (remember the teal silk jacket?) person who has a fantastic flair for life!
That my friends. was someone who took lemons and made some Damn Good Lemonade!
Cheers my friends,
Jennifer
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