Signposts Along the Way: Signpost 4 – The End of an Era: Part 2 of 2

22 Feb

While at home the following Sunday afternoon, just as the raviolis were boiling, Mr. Dodgie called me. He tried to compose himself, but had a hard time completing his sentences without stammering. “I don’t know what to say” he began. “I can’t explain what happened other than the owner’s wife just had a baby. My client told me to take the deal – as is – no questions asked – don’t renegotiate – the end!”

Even though I believed for this result, I was still astonished at what the Lord did for us. Excitement and gratitude filled me from head to toe. I told my husband the good news as he tended to the ravioli. Although, I can’t swear to it, and to this day he would tell you it was just steam from the ravioli pot, but I’m pretty sure there were tears of joy – and relief – in his eyes.

Even our lawyer refused to believe the news until the contract hit his desk. “If I did not see this for myself, I would have told you that your feet aren’t on the ground and your head is in the clouds. I still don’t know how it is fiscally possible for a shopping center to lease 10,000 sq. ft at $1.00 a foot including amenities! I’m not sure how you did it, but you must have pulled the right strings.” Little did he know that there were no parlor tricks, persuasive offerings or elbow rubbing. I just used my faith that the Lord would carry us through these tough times if I would let him – and He did!

With this deal we were able to save our business, have enough money to pay the creditors and brighten our future. And God did it for me – for us. A miracle once again!  I had read my little note, “Expect a Miracle,” at least a thousand times and believed for it in my heart. When it came time to move the pools, they had to be jack hammered out of the frozen ground and moved in the sleet and snow. I remembered encouraging the guys, “We can do this. Nothing is impossible with God!” And it wasn’t. Although not any less frozen, we moved the pools and opened our new location just in time for the season to begin.

That year was a grand slam.  We hosted a huge grand opening party for our customers old and new. Advertising with radio celebrities and the prizes brought families in from all over the county to our brand new location – which now anchored the entire Plaza Shopping Center. It was a wonderful time, a wonderful victory, that I will always remember.

After a few more pool seasons, and with all our obligations met, we made the painful decision to close shop. There were many reasons for us to stay in business, but many more reasons not to. It was time for it to be over. It needed to be over.

Although, we had enjoyed the many blessings that our 10 years in business provided, it did not come without a price. Our family had been terribly strained with the ups and downs of business ownership. The long hours, financial hardships, unscrupulous sub-contractors, and feverish legal battles wore us all pretty thin.

There was one person, though, who took it exceptionally hard – my father, Jim.  Dad helped us with the business both physically and financially. He was always there to pull us out of tight spots – which there seemed to be an overabundance of. He poured vast amounts of his time, energy and hard earned money into the store. I don’t know if Dad saw this business as an investment or just another one of his “projects.” What I would soon learn, though, is how personally the “End of an Era” had affected him.

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