Goodbye Go Fish... Hello New Life

While our store closed its doors to retail customers last Tuesday, Don and I have spent a week cleaning out the space. Our lease is up tomorrow at midnight, so within forty eight hours, we'll have officially left the retail business behind.

When we made the decision to leave this season of our lives, Don knew a lot of folks would ask why... and they did, day after day as the closing drew near. Don answered the question many times in the store, but after encountering a few worried faces of my own, I decided to share our thoughts on the change.

The fact that our store made money through the recent financial crisis is a testament to my husband's detailed nature. He kept close watch on inventory and bank deposits and even learned how to catch shop lifters with finesse. But for whatever reason, our Go Fish store never made enough money to provide an income or make up for lost family time. 

In many ways, the store was Don's mission field. He often said he didn't want to shy away from being a "light on the Marietta Square" if that was where God wanted us to be. But as winter turned to spring and then on to summer this year, our profits dramatically declined, and every big money making event on the square was cancelled due to rain. When officials called off the July Fourth festivities, the dismal holiday served as a poetic end to a non-stop five plus years.

I'll miss our sunshine store and know lots of folks will miss talking to Don and having a place to share their hearts and be lifted up in prayer. I got my hair cut across town last spring and when the receptionist commented on my earrings, I told her they were from Go Fish. Her excitement overflowed when she realized Don was my husband, and then she proceeded to explain how much he'd encouraged her through a rough patch in her life. 

A stranger across town espoused the goodness of my man. So I know he will be missed.

But while ministering to others in the store has been a blessing for Don on many levels, we've missed him at home. So it was easy to throw a party last Tuesday when we closed the doors to the public for the last time. Don's "in town" kids came with grandchildren in tow.  Pizza, cake, music, and grand kids. We had some fun.

Our faithful employees, Linnette, Muriel, and Carol, after weeks of big sales. They stayed with us to the end and we're so grateful!!

We closed on Kelly's birthday (Don's number two son) so we got a cake for multiple reasons!!

Hazel and Catherine enjoyed cake!!

And Penny REALLY enjoyed cake!! More than one piece even.

Baby Adam received his first flying lesson...

And we took one last photo of the Go Fish team together.

Then we cranked  up the music and the running and dancing began. My video won't upload. But man we had fun with screaming, running, crazy kids and grown ups. 

Grandipa with Penny when someone turned out the lights!

These boots were made for walking...

... and that's just what they'll do...

As Don locked the door after Hazel left with Penny and her mom, Hazel got a panicked look and yelled through the glass door, "Grandipa, you need to leave now and get a job!!" After reassuring her that he didn't have to leave at just that moment to get a job, Hazel went home to bed.

But since many have asked, I'll let you know that Don's had a few interviews that seem promising and another coming up. So keep praying for us and him. We know God has it under control, but we always appreciate the prayers of the saints.

And for those who shopped at our sunshine store, thanks for your years of patronage. We have many wonderful memories and will miss meeting so many great folks.

But for everything there is a season, and it's time for a  new thing for us.

So You Want to Get Married... Seriously?

A Star Wars boot covered my left leg. Narcotics kept pain at bay. I had started physical therapy and taken my first steps post ankle reconstruction. But the recovery was still underway when my nineteen year old, freshman in college decided he wanted to get married.

Yikes.

Brain fuses blew. My heart stretched wide, beating rapid under fire. After lengthy discussions I told him I needed a few weeks to learn to walk again before offering any blessings toward upcoming nuptials. Part of me hoped he'd waken to reason, but I knew him well enough to face the fact that once something grabs hold of him, there's no shaking it off.

I wrote a story about Sam years ago that still defines our relationship. It was printed in a Focus on the Family magazine but is still available here: Keeping the Bond

Basically, Sam has always pushed me out of my comfort zone. Parenting him required constant leaps from my familiar. I recognized the pattern when he innocently asked me to watch the Star Wars movies with him, which meant facing my deepest childhood fear: Darth Vader. Ask my family. I left before the end of The Empire Strikes Back at age ten and hid in the theater bathroom.

But I watched the movies with Sam. And continued to lean his way the best I knew how time and again. But marriage his sophomore year in College? Are you kidding? He doesn't even keep his bedroom clean.

But a series of articles began to appear. I'll link them in case you have interest. But in time, I couldn't deny that God seemed to keep easing my panic and reminding me His plan for my youngest has always been a little different.

World Magazine: The Great Man Hunt

Today's Christianity Blog

The Atlantic

And the more I watched Sam with Courtney, the more my reservations gave way to blessing. He doesn't need my permission. But I appreciated a few months to process it all. In the end, since we both have mitochondrial disease and he's watched me struggle to  walk for years now, it was really hard to argue with the statement, "Mom, I want to get married young and have kids young because I don't know if I'll be able to walk when I'm forty."

So here's the photos that cinched it for me. While Courtney was in South America on a study abroad trip, Sam ordered a ring and had the stone set so he could propose the moment she got back. And that's what he did:

She was crying before he even got down on one knee... very happy to be home.

Notice the ring!

And the future begins...