Heartfriend Originals

Goodness.  Here I sit, on the floor.  NO chairs around....oh, wait there's one, oh, but it has stuff in it since we are all out of flat surfaces.  Well, I'll just lean here on the wall in the darkened store with clutter all around and reminisce a bit.  Last night as we locked up, it felt very much like the first day 2 years and 10 months ago.  But the lump wasn't in my throat then.  Last night, as I locked the door and walked away I realized that in a very very short time I will walk out one evening and never walk back in.  Ouch.  Rose Buds is a haven.  For some of you.  For me.  It has memories that have stuck themselves firmly in my mind.  Dress up.  Louella and Kim snuggled beside each other to play Scrabble with vintage hats  on.  The bonding of the Mah Jong group.  The Bible Study girls making their own friendships.  And, once upon a time, a lovely knitting group.  I remember the Art Walks and the Festivals on Main.  Oh, and, can't forget the Halloween Parade.....goodness, some of those kids came by four and five times.  I remember these two crazy women who thought that they could run a business.  We kind of suck at it I think.  But it still was a blesing.  It still has been a huge learning time.  We love all of the nice people.  Not so fond of the meany heads.  But we included them too.:)  Now, are you wondering which you are?  Actually, if you are reading this, you are not one of the meany heads.  They never stayed.  They just passed through.  Never use spray paint in the basement.  Never use spray paint with the doors closed.  Never use oil based paints with the doors closed.  Unless you really have a project that you really really want to get done..then go ahead, because it's totally worth it.  Give it your all.  Work hard.  Play hard.  Share openly.  Give your heart.  Be willing to get hurt.  Be willing to lose.  Be willing to fail.  Expect to succeed.  Smile when the world looks darkest...it might help someone else.  Face problems head on.  Learn that no is a complete sentence.  And does not need an explanation.  Love extravagantly.  Frolic Shamelessly.  Give generously. And never ever forget that your girlfriends have your back when the world gets too hard.  I have learned that women are incredibly strong in a very gentle and loving way.  A fierce love.  You don't mess with their friends or family.  And if you mess with their kids.......well, lets just not even go there.  You have all combined to teach me so many things.  To give me so many snapshots in my mind.   Your smiles radiate in my heart.  And I hesitate.  Stopping.  Looking back.  Pausing.  Nervous.  Oh God, is it time?  Can it possibly, truly be time?  Surely not.  It was too short.  "No, it was just long enough."  Ok, well, I guess then it's time.  Time to say good bye to Rose Buds Store.  Time to say hello to a new plan.  A new life goal.  A new time.  And that's ok.  Every single time we say goodbye, we get to say hello.  We get to grow.  We get to learn and find new adventures.  So, I'm going to step out of this reminiscing and into the next memory to be made.  I'm going to be present in this moment so that one day when I look back, this moment will be one of my cherished memories.  So, yes, thanks for the memories!!! And here's to the future!!!  blessings, rhonda