Transformation
Sometimes it's time for transformation and other times, transformation just comes. When did I get old? I mean, I must be old to have a son that just graduated from High School, right? I remember my HS graduation like it was (almost) yesterday and last week, I witness my son (the baby that I longed for all my life) accept his high school dipolma and I knew it was time for transformation.
Grand Valley State University is not that far. 2 1/2 hours or so. A great school. He's so excited... and I've been preparing myself for a year. Getting used to the idea that he would be gone. Starting his own life. Having the time of his life. On our way back from the Orientation day, he found this butterfly emerging from it's cocoon. It's strange enough (a miracle I would say) that we were allowed to witness such a thing, but even stranger that it was along the curb of the gas station store a midst an ongoing flux of traffic both automobile and foot. How had it sustained and how had so many people missed it? I was (at this point probably looking like a fool) down on my hands and knees on the cement taking this picture and no one, (I mean it.. NO ONE) stopped to see what I was doing, to see if I was all right (insane or not), and everyone but my son and I missed the miracle of this tranformation. It was incredible.
It got me thinking. My life. My son's life. The transformation of my marriage over the years. (almost 24 years and we're still learning and growing and loving each other) The store. The stores in our neighborhood that have closed. My friendships.... the new ones ... the old ones... the ones lost. Transformation. Things change. People change. We are transforming ourselves (and our image of ourselves) everyday. Is anyone stopping to notice? Is anyone stopping to take a snapshot of what is going on right this minute?
Our store is transforming every day. We have a new store manager. A new employee. A college student back for the summer. (Jessica, Diana, and Jenna respectively.) Inasmuch as I have loved all the women that have worked for me, I dare say this is the best (most cohesive) staff we've ever had. Transforming. Eager. Brilliant. Proactive. All with a servant's heart. I love that. Now, how do I bottle it?
As we head full on into summer, we are noticing a transformation in our customers. They still want shoes (thank you God), but they are looking for either pure CANDY or pure COMFORT. Excellent. That is the direction I've been heading toward for the last 3 1/2 years. We don't want much of what I call "dumb shoes". You know, the shoes that everyone has in their wardrobe (the shoes you are just dumb not to have). Those can be found anywhere. Ok, don't worry, I will still carry the plain black pump, but what we're going for is CANDY and COMFORT. We will never compromise fashion for comfort... but give you both.
Another strong transformation is the lean toward GREEN. It's so very important to use reused and recycled materials. We are carrying more and more products in this area. Look for WeBe Bags (now in the store) and LadyBug Bags (coming soon). Take them to the grocery store, school, keep one in the car. Soon we will be offering our Club Card Members a very special deal on LadyBug Bags for their purchases. stay tuned.
We are always looking at ways to help transform the world by investing in companies that give back. Soon, we will have TOM's Shoes. For every pair you purchase, Tom will give a pair for a child in need. Check them out http://www.tomsshoes.com/.
It's all about transformation. Don't you think? Evolving into the people, the parents, the spouses, and even the store that God would have us be. I'm so thankful that I'm not the same person I was 20 years ago. For that matter, 20 minutes ago. (ok not that radicle).... but we are always given the opportunity to change. I'm taking a snap shot of this minute and I'm going to start noticing all the things that are changing around me. It's pretty cool.
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