23/12/2017
Good evening, Everyone! Today started our 50 percent off, going out of business sale. What a day it was! People who discovered us by drive-by versus people who have know about us and loved us for 18 years (there should be a prize for them!!)
I got to see several sets of families that I got to know over the years and watched annually their children grow up and it is and was so good for the heart to see them again.
Several families of years ago had tears in their eyes as they learned I am closing. All I can say is I am honored by that kind gesture and what a pleasure it was talking with you and bullsh*tting for a few minutes before I had to go to assist someone.
On an extremely special note, I had a wonderful client named Patricia, who every year would come to my store in the winter months (best time to be here!). Patricia was so kind and gentle and though I didn't know her outside of the gallery, we would ALWAYS chat and have a nice relaxing talk. Three years ago Patricia passed away. One winter day, her family came to my store and we visited and I learned that this dear lady passed away. I was immediately sad. Patricia was special and elegant. They asked me for permission to spread part of her ashes in my gallery's back yard as this was one place before she passed that she loved to come too. I didn't hesitate and gladly welcomed them to do this. Inside I was crying as I really enjoyed this special lady and had also lost my Mom one year prior. Out of respect I let them do what they needed to do in my backyard and to this day, I have no idea where Patricia's ashes are scattered.
As Hurricane Maria wiped out our island and made life very challenging, I reflect back into that winter day, 3 years ago when Patricia's family came to my store to ask permission for scatter her ashes and I think to myself, what an amazing career and job this had been and how honored I am to have had something like this happen in my life.
How many businesses can say that something like this has happened to them and what a better person I am for it.
Patricia, I came to the store today for the first time since Hurricane Maria and found my back yard to be a big disaster. I will not leave it this way. Once all my sales are done & the guests are gone, I will clean the back yard and return it to the calm, peaceful retreat that enriched your soul. I have never forgotten you and the conversations we had. I've not forgotten that day your family came to tell me that you had passed. I hope the future occupants maintain and enhance the back garden that you loved. How fortunate I am to have experienced this. I also had several clients who found out today that I was closing and some tears were shed. How fortunate I am for all that I've written here. Thank you all for what you have also given me. When I started this little soap company 18 years ago, I didn't know what I was building and moving forward in. I've learned a lot and I'm grateful for it all. God Bless and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
