Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Going Out of Business; Failure or Victory

    This is a hard post to write.  It's about two things.
#1 The Scribe and Student Council
and 
#2 My company is going out of business . . .













    First, let me tell you about The Scribe. If you didn't read yesterday's post, you might want to check it out before reading on. 
    The Scribe took forever coming to the van after school.  "What is she doing?" I asked The Hippie.
    "Looking at the list, to see if she made it on the Student Council."
    I got really nervous. I'm such a goofball that I even called the school earlier to find out.  The secretary had said they couldn't tell a soul who won--no one--until after school.  
    That elementary is tighter than Alcatraz!  I can see why kids feel like they're going to prison instead of school these days.  Seriously, they can't chew gum.  They can't wear bandanas.  Some schools wand the kids!  Heck, I wore shorts for the first time the other day and The Hippie said, "Those are too short. You couldn't wear those at school."
    "Why?" I asked.
    "Because they're shorter than your fingertips."  
    I blushed feeling like one of those mothers on Jerry Springer, the mothers who try dressing like they're in Jr. High.  Their butts hang out and the rolls under their armpits do too.
    So, anyway, we waited for The Scribe to come out, but she never did.  I ended up hauling my other three kids into the school.  We saw The Scribe staring at a paper on the office door.  All the other kids had left, but not her.  She waited, trying to compose herself before coming out to the van.
    "Scribe?  You okay?" I asked.
    She turned, sniffed, wiped her eyes like it was the coolest thing in the world, and said, "I didn't win.  But it's okay.  I didn't get on the Student Council."
    "Oh, babe.  I'm so sorry."  Me and my army of children hugged her.
    Now, I never expected her to react this way, but for a moment she did.  "I'm never running for anything again.  Never."
    "Don't be like that," I said.  "You have to keep trying."
    We drove home and on the way I asked, "Who got on the Student Council anyway?"  I wondered if the other girl had made it.
    "Some boy who I hardly know.  He seems pretty nice."
    "So, that girl, your enemy, she didn't make it?"
    "Nope.  And I wouldn't even wish this feeling on her.  I actually feel bad for her.  She wanted it more than anyone."
    That was a neat comment, and it made me proud. "But you still won't run for anything, ever again?" I asked.
    "You got that right."
    I pulled out the big guns then, because she'd asked for it.  You know how every parent has one story they use for every situation--one story you hear a million times.  Let me give you an example, "Why, when I was your age, I walked to school, ten miles in the blistering snow," or, "When I was your age we didn't have colored TVs or cell phones, or facebook!"  Well, I pulled out one of those stories.  I'm sure my kids can tell it backwards.  They dream about this story.  Maybe they'll use it on their children because it's that awesome!
    "Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Mama Hirsch," I said.
    "It was you.  It was you." The Hippie giggled from the back seat.
    "And every year she wanted to win at something," I said.
    "Oh, man! Not this story again," The Scribe said.
    "Yes, this story."  I took a breath and continued.  "You see, Mama Hirsch won Reflections in kindergarten and she wanted to win again, but even though she entered every year, she never won after that first time.  She tried and tried at everything she could, but always failed, until one day, when someone said the school was having a play.  Do you think Mama Hirsch gave up and didn't even try out?"
    "No," The Scribe said in a monotone.
    "Do you think Mama Hirsch was scared of getting turned down again?" I asked.
    "No!" squealed The Hippie. That's when The Zombie Elf and Doctor Jones (my babies) started clapping.
    "You're right!  Even though I--Mama Hirsch, knew she might fail again, she tried, because she knew that with hard work, determination and skill, the odds would turn her way and someday . . . she would succeed."
    Normally, I'd tell the rest of the story, but I decided to stop there.  Like I said, my kids have heard it a million times.
    The Scribe looked over and shocked me. "Aren't you going to finish?"
    I snorted.  "You actually want to hear the rest?"
    "Well," she said, "maybe just one more time."
    "Okay."  I smiled.  "Mama Hirsch decided to try again.  She pretended she was smarter than Anne of Green Gables, better than Peter Pan.  She strolled into that audition, and although most of the girls in her grade were there trying out too and watching her, she stood in front of everyone and she blew their socks off."
    "She did what to their socks?" The Hippie asked.
    "Nothing . . . I just meant to say, she did real good."
    "Mom, is this a true story?" The Scribe asked.  " 'Cause every time you tell it, you get happier and happier toward the end."
    "It's because it has a good moral.  What did you learn from it?"
    "That . . . I need to keep trying?" she asked.  "I guess you're right.  I have two more chances to run for student council.  If I don't try, then I have no chance at all.  But if I keep at it, maybe someday I'll win."
    "That's the spirit.  Just don't give up." 
   "You know what, I won't.  I learned something else that will help me win.  That kid who got onto the council, he taught it to me."
    "What was that?" I asked.
    "If you really want to win, it helps if you suck up to the other students."
     I laughed really hard. "I wouldn't suck up, but it's great to be friends with everyone.  That kid will make a great politician someday," I said.
     "A poli-what?"  The Scribe asked.
     "Nevermind," I chuckled and we went home.


    So, #2 on my list is that my company is going out of business.  How I told The Scribe to never give up, well I'm not living it.  I guess change is inevitable though.  And that isn't always a bad things, right?    
    I'll tell you more about things later.  I'll leave my business up for a few days if you want to see what I'm talking about and why it's so hard saying "goodbye."  
    Here's the link to my baby:
Photobucket

15 comments:

  1. My eyes were flying over your words, looking for the Scribe's moment and then I just about yelled 'NOOOOO' when I saw the let down. Thank goodness your kids are blessed with a mother like you and the Scribe is able to see that she should never give up. I'm so sorry about your business. You make amazing outfits! If I had kids, they would be rocking your creations! You never know, when this recession finally ends, you may be able to start up again.

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  2. Poor kid. You know though, it's through experiences such as these ones that kids grow and become better people--more understanding, more full of heart and compassion. It sucks at the time, you want your kids to win everything (it would be so much easier if they did). But, life is full of ups and downs.

    I always tell my kids when they don't get the outcome they hoped for, that obviously, they were destined to do something else. Perhaps something better. Had they got what they wanted, they may have missed out on other opportunities.

    I'm sorry about the scribe, but watch this year and see what other opportunities come her way :) Because they will come. She's a bright, beautiful kid.

    As for the business, I hope you're closing it to focus on your writing. I'm curious to find out what the heck is happening.

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  3. I feel bad for the Scribe, but she has learned a great lesson...did I just say that? Ugh...

    Sorry about your business, your creations were beautiful and you obviously have a lot of talent. I really admire anyone that can sew and if you saw what my mending did to the throw pillows on my couch you would know why.

    I agree with Padded Cell Princess- unfortunately the recession has forced many people to cut out the extras in life.

    Not that I ever had much of a budget for the extras, but now if I don't have a coupon, my gray hair can go undyed for months, haha.

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  4. You need to tell the Scribe Abe Lincoln's story. He ran and tried for years. He lost at every turn until he tried one more time. He is one of the most famous presidents we ever had and look at all the good he did before he was killed. You can leave the killed part out of course. She's a winner and she will do great things with her little life. This is a minor set back for a great kid and the girls are right. It's a great lesson. As for your business... It's not about money but time right? You've finally decided to take a break? E don't give up if it's anything else. You are to good, and the best person I have ever met. Love you bunches.

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  5. too bad she didn't get it :( she would be great at it. And I'm glad you convinced her to never give up:) What a good mom you are :)

    Sorry for you business. Those clothes are gorgeous!!

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  6. Oh! Sorry about both. I love those clothes! So like Melynda said, give yourself a break for a while...but I hope you come back to it. I was gonna order a winter parka for The Peanut.
    :)

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  7. Poor baby--it is hard to 'put yourself out there' and be vulnerable. I hope the Scribe doesn't give up. I am sorry about your business; maybe right now isn't the time for such lovely clothing--maybe people are thinking about other needs. Give yourself time; this is not over and done with. love.

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  8. Sorry for Scribe's lost, but there's always next year and the year after that, and the year after that...

    What a shame about your biz. The clothes are absolutely beautiful. I would've like some of those dresses in my size. You should join Project Runway =)

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  9. Wait, wait, wiat. You make parka's? You brave woman!

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  10. Part of lifes lesson for the both of you. You know what they say...hard but true, If at first you don't suceed try, try again. Your clotes are so beautiful too, just like you and your family.

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  11. Dear Scribe--So sorry you didn't win--you would have made a great Student Council member! You cannot expect to win every election you enter. DO NOT GIVE UP!!

    Dear Elisa--Too bad your boutique is closing. Now maybe you can devote yourself to becoming a full-time author. I know I would buy ANYTHING you wrote!

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  12. You are talented and creative on many levels, and your children are smart and brave. You, my dear, are a success.

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  13. Elisa, this posting left me with a lump in my throat. For the Scribe and for you and yes, for the Scribe's "enemy."

    Life will ultimately reveal whether this student council election played a big part in the Scribe's growing maturity. Maybe this is a milestone--or it could just be a pebble in her path. Whatever it is, I believe that you handled the whole episode beautifully.

    And also, with fishducky above, I hope you do become a full-time author. Your intuitive sanity and sense of the ridiculous would make either a nonfiction book of reflections/essays/anecdotes or a novel a best-seller. Go for it! Take your own advice.

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  14. My condolences to the Scribe.... I liked what you said in the above post about seeing all the good things that came out of your business. When one door closes....Keep dreaming onto the next great feat!
    Stopping by from VB!
    http://theorganicblonde.com

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  15. 'atta girl, scribe! Never give up, suck up instead! I've noticed those who get far in life either, A. work very VERY hard for what they have, or B. They're suck ups to the right people...Sorry bout EC Boutique. :(

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