Lemonade Stand

I've had more than a few bushels of lemons dumped into my lap over the past year.  Lots of rotten, stinking lemons, but more than enough gorgeous, juicy lemons to make digging through the bushels worthwhile.  If the adage "when life hands you lemons..." is true, I am ready to open my lemonade stand.

The construction of my lemonade stand has been arduous.   The materials were expensive and the frame was hard wrought.  My body and heart bear the nicks, scrapes, and calluses which come from the hard work of demolition and building.  Of re-building.  But the wounds are healing and now only faint scars remain as talismans which mark not only where I have been, but where I am going.  The lemonade, the product of my efforts, is sweet and satisfying. Would you like some?  I'm offering it free.

I am amazed at the line that forms when I flip on my "open" sign.  SO many people, mainly women, are needing to hear my story, see the solidly crafted lemonade stand I have built, and taste the victorious sweetness of coming out on the other side of it all. They ask for the blueprints.  They inquire about my recipe.  They quiz me about how I learned to become a craftsman and a master mix-ologist.  Did I find the instructions in a book?  Did I take a class?  Is there some drug I'm taking to give me this creative perseverance?  Not really.  I just looked inside and it was all RIGHT THERE. All the time.  Waiting for me to see it and trust it.  I have no special skills, no super-powers.  I'm just, perhaps, FINALLY paying a little more attention than most....

Silly metaphors, yes.  Contrived?  Perhaps.  But I am continually amazed by the results I see unfolding before me.  This lemonade and stand I have created are the products of an incredible, ongoing labor of love, a journey into self and the beginnings of a lifelong mission I can just now see forming. I see it melding so PERFECTLY with my decision to go back to school and complete my graduate work in counseling. I see it melding so PERFECTLY with many of the items on my Mondo Beyondo list.  I see it melding so PERFECTLY with who I am and my purpose here on this plane.  I have a message.  I have a story to tell. There are lots of people out there craving a taste of this inspiration so they can go home and make their OWN lemonade.

Oprah, are you thirsty?  You should be....

Comments

[Tami B.]

A magnificent post!

[Lindsay Teague]

I'll take the biggest glass you got and keep it coming! Good post Kim! I'm happy you're happy!

[slammie]

I want a glass, please!

[Carolyn Peeler]

So very happy to hear you in this place Kim. You are one powerful, wise woman.
((HUGS))

[Suzanne Duda]

You are so strong and positive...you constantly amaze and inspire me! xoxo

[Ramona Owen]

Well said strong woman! You are a wonderful example of strength and grace.

Smiles ~ Ramona

[pcsmart]

i am still gathering lemons....but i have been taking notes on your stand construction and drink recipe