Today the children and their daddy hefted the large orange orbs out of the garden patch and onto the front lawn. It was time for their 4th annual Pumpkin Sale. Uncle Jed came and faithfully supported them --once again.
Supposedly this drive to be entrepreneurial, to sell, is part of the grit that makes us truly human. Should I be concerned then, that I balk when asked to simply offer free samples? I have been known to hit the floor and crawl beneath the large front room window when noticing that a solicitor is approaching my house. "Shhh, no noises," I have told my small children. And thank goodness for caller ID -- that has made my job much easier.
Knowing that this almost phobic response is rooted deeply in my soul, Heavenly Father (with His keen sense of humor) has blessed me with children who would like to sell something whenever possible. Abbie wanted to hold garage sales every weekend one summer. I remember the first time Zach was determined to sell cookies. I had some sitting on the counter, and he was ready to charge $5 for each. I tried to reason with him without projecting my own insecurities. I was unsuccessful. I phoned Mom as I posted myself at the window --bracing against the rejection he was sure to face as his little body sat out on the curb with his rickety art table. Luckily Jed happened to be visiting Mom at the time and overheard my worries. He reassured me that every child goes through this sales desire; he recounted the time he'd attempted graham cracker sales. "Were there people who didn't stop--didn't buy what you were selling?" I asked. "Oh yeah -- so I just sat outside with a purpose, watched the cars drive by, and ate graham crackers." It had been was a wonderful day.
And so...every October, I post myself at the window -- take a few photos, and make hot chocolate and cookies for my little driven sales people.
6 comments:
And what great pumpkins they always are. And not only do we come home with pumpkins, but other thoughtful treasures for my children. We're so lucky to be "in" with your group.
If we'd only known, we would've come on down! We enjoyed it last year.
Anita
ps--yet another sign about who the favorite child is, since jed & jayne are in the know and we have to read about it on the blog...
I would've been there if I had known. I've been wondering when it was going to happen. Do you have any left?
not sure why i seemed so optimistic when i told you the graham crackers story. i'm still trying to sell them and i've met with some serious disappointment over the last 25 years. while i've eaten many crackers on many pretty saturdays, that practice has never paid the bills. just ask jayne.
if you or anyone you know is interested, i'm selling graham crackers. in front of my house.
What I woudn't give for a few of those big, beautiful babies! We went all the way out to the farm to pick our own pumpkins this year, but the biggest one we could find is still smaller than a basketball. My complaint-free self is reprimanding...at least we found a garden (parched though it may be) from which to pick produce.
I miss Utah.
Post a Comment