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November 15, 2019

Story Time

I love it when the boys play together, and they use their imagination.  The other day I was watching my boys build forts. One of the forts was a store and the other fort was a house that apparently needed to be filled with lots of material things.  It was quite entertaining to watch and I started to reminisce about my childhood.  To be quite honest, I don’t remember much from my childhood.  It all seems like a blur to me, but I do remember a few stories. So in honor of my birthday week, I’ve decided to share a memory with you. It goes as follow: 

When I was about 7 years old, my sister and I decided that we were going to into business together. We decided that we were going to become partners in the book selling business.  I’m not even certain where the idea came from; all I know is that at the time, it was a grand idea!
We had a lot of books.  A whole bin full, actually. Apparently we were quite the readers or at least “picture lookers” at that age.  I believe that these were purchased as “previously loved” books and I’m certain that they were purchased in better condition than they were in.   I mean, the books had run through 4 sets of little girl’s hands.

So we made a plan.  We would pack some books, get on our bikes, and sell them door to door.  I was going to go to one side of our neighborhood and she would go the other side.  So we piled our “best” books and each took a stack. We put them on our bikes and went our separate ways. I placed the books in the basket that was at the front of my bike.  I remember feeling nervous, but determined.  I did not want to disappoint myself and my sister.

After I had rehearsed what I was going to say, I took a deep breath, and got on my bike and rode it down the sidewalk.  We lived in a neighborhood of town houses, so I didn’t want to go too far because I would get in trouble. I rode up to the very last house on our row of townhouses, and parked my bike as close to the front door as I could.  A little hesitation presented itself, quickly followed by a rush of bravery. I walked up to that door and knocked.  I immediately regretted it, but there was no turning back now. 

This lady opened the door, and said “yes?”
I responded with “Hi my name is Cindy, and I live down the street. My sister and I are selling books, would you like to buy one for your kids or something?” I gave her the price.  I don’t remember what the price was but I’m pretty sure it was something like 1 for $5 or 3 for $10.
“What kind of books?” I handed her some books. She looked at them and said “Not right now”, and slammed the door in my face.  (Not really. I’m sure she was nice, but that’s the way it felt at the time)
I went back to my bike, looked at my books, and whispered to myself “it’s ok; the next person will buy one”.   *I must’ve really thought my books were special*
I rang the doorbell on the house next door, and this lady just rejected my offer through the screen door - didn’t even open the door or look at the books.

At this point I started to feel a little discouraged, but I thought I would try one more time. I rode up to the next house, and I rang the doorbell. I waited a bit, but there was no answer.  I climbed back on my bike and as I was riding up to the next house, I decided to keep going straight to my house. I unpacked my books, and decided that I was done with the partnership.  I waited for my sister to return, and she never did.  I found her playing outside with her friends.  She told me she had not sold any books, either.

I felt embarrassed and vowed never to do anything like that ever again.
I did though. In seventh grade I went door to door selling chocolate covered almonds.  That’s a success story that I will tell in another story time.

YEEEAAARRRSSS later I brought this up to my sister, as we were discussing our childhood, ONLY TO FIND OUT she had never even gone out to sell any books. She has just gone out to play with her friends. Go figure. 

Me - Big Sis


Even so, there is a lesson is this real life story.  The lessons: ONE, make sure your partnership is legit; and TWO don’t let life’s past failures define your future. 

K bye.


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