Lifetime Commitment

When I came of age (what age, I'm not exactly sure, but an age older than 12) I made a commitment to myself that anytime I saw children selling lemonade on the side of the road I would stop and buy some. I think this commitment came out of the deep sense of rejection I felt as a young entrepreneurial child when cars containing what I thought looked like perfectly pleasant people went whizzing by my roadside lemonade stand without so much as a second glance (they had to take a first glance due to the gigantic neon colored poster-board we used to advertise our delicious nectar (read kool-aid) and lure our customers). Even as a wee one, I recognized the cruelty of adults who wouldn't humor some kids trying to make some extra dough the good ol' fashioned way. On the other hand, I remember the delight I would feel when someone would actually pull over and purchase a glass (read mini-dixi cup) of our hard made juice. These lemonade days are among my favorite childhood memories.

So, today I had the opportunity to fulfill this commitment to always stop at children's lemonade stands as I drove past one on my way home from work. It was the perfect lemonade stand day...warm with a slight summer breeze. I almost envied the kids and the carefree way they made their living. To my delight, inflation hasn't touched the lemonade business (or maybe the recession is hitting it especially hard) because I got a medium sized dixi cup of raspberry lemonade for the bargain price of 25 cents...not a penny more than I charged 20+ years ago. While I hesitated actually drinking the lemonade (you never know where their grubby little hands have been) I was pleased to see the ice cream truck stop in front of their house just a few moments later and think that I somehow contributed to them finally being able to buy that firecracker popsicle they've been wanting.

What are your thoughts on lemonade stands. Did you do them when you were young? Do you stop at them now? Do you drink the lemonade?

P.S. Speaking of lifetime commitments, I keep meaning to blog about Courtney and Cameron's wedding that I went to back in March. Suffice it to say that it was unequivocally, hands down, the best. wedding. ever. Courtney was amazingly beautiful in her self-designed dress, the ceremony was sacred and lovely, and the reception was the most kick A party I've ever been to. Three words: Live. Band. Karaoke. 'Nuff said. Obviously it's not enough said, because I'm going to add this...Courtney's dad started a mosh pit, her mom rocked the bangles, and, at the end of the night, all of the reception guests paraded into the street behind the bride and groom giving them all of our love and happiness through song and chanting. Again...Best. Wedding. Ever!!