So.....I was once again reminded how just one interaction with a stranger can change ones demeanor...... Mondays are usually pretty busy for me with a steady stream of sales reps and a need to spend time with each one to make sure adequate product is ordered for shelf stock, to cover ads, etc, etc. I then get a call from one of my employees who has a pretty serious infection and will be out for a couple days. While Im trying to figure out coverage for those couple of shifts (and still meeting with reps), the employee I am working with gets a call from her sons school-he is running a temp and needs to be picked up! She tried several times to call other family but to no avail. What do you do?? I told her if she would let me pee, she could leave and I could handle things for a few hours until the next person came in. Now Im juggling reps, a schedule AND customers (which is not a BAD thing LOL). Im not gonna lie, I was a little bit frazzled by 2:00 when my next employee came in!! I was glad (not only to have another opportunity to pee) but to also focus on figuring out the rest of the week! :) About a 1/2 hour after this, a customer comes in looking for a wine that my employee is not familiar with so he comes into my office asking for help. I walk out to the counter and start visiting with this guy who is looking for a wine that he can get in the oil patch. Ive never heard of it but he really wants me to check if I can get it because he has friends here in town who have tried it, think its the BEST wine ever and WILL buy it. I get requests like this all the time so I took his name, number, told him I would check on it and would let him know. I go back to my office, sit down, look at the clock, look at my desk, look at the schedule and once again, feel that burn of frustration running through my veins. Seriously, (weve all been there)......I have so much to do and I did not have time for this, especially today!! Now, Im sure you are all on the edge of your seats.....wondering how this made a difference in my life today and/if this story will EVER end LOL! Yes, it does, but I have to take my bloomers out of the dryer before I can finish..... ......Assuming this encounter was a done deal (with a follow-up phone call), did not expect to hear his voice in the doorway of the office.... Him: Excuse me, but can I ask you kind of a personal question? Me: Mmmm....sure?? Him: I know this might sound crazy and I cant believe Im asking you this but did you ever sing...... (and he did stop right there)... I started to smile (like it was even possible after the day Ive had so far)... Him: I can tell by that smile that you DID sing.......with Rocky Top, right?! Me: Yes, I did Him: OMG, I never got to see the band close up but I thought that might be you....the first time I heard you guys was at the Civic Center for Christmas! Me: Really, when was that? Him: It was the year you guys came back after you lost a member of the band. This might sound crazy but I can still see it in my mind! You had big screens on the ends of the stage with pictures of her while you sang. It was amazing! Side note: The big screens and slide show would not have been possible without my great friends Gigi and Davina....it was kind of a new concept back then! Him (continued): I bought the CD......it is in my truck and I play it every Christmas. Im scared that it might skip from the wear and tear....but it hasnt yet and every year I tell myself I should make a copy just in case!! That burn of frustration running through my veins..........yeah, just melted like butter! Wow... How ironic..... Yesterday (as every year), I was reminded of the last day (and days prior) that Alice was alive. Today, I am reminded that even in her absence, her presence, albeit in a conversation, can turn this girls bad day around :)
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 05:26:16 +0000