Wednesday, May 6, 2009

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!!

9 comments:

Sara said...

Your commitment seems to have paid off with good hair karma because it's looking so good in that picture!

Ryan said...

I haven't had a chance to stop at them recently. I have gotten more germ-phobic so I think I would buy a glass and pretend to drink it unless the children could produce food handeling permits.

way to keep commitments. great wedding photo too.

cheyney webb said...

I too love lemonade stands. I will have to remember to keep some change in my car for the next time I see one. It has never occured to me to not drink their lemonade.

Courtney looks beautiful as do you. Sounds like a fabulous wedding.

Brecken said...

you are hilarious. Glad you didn't die from lemonade poisoning. love those lemonade days. I should stop too....maybe I will now.

Rowboat said...

renee you're adorable. i am going to start selling lemonade every time i see you. take pity on me! and you and courtney look absolutely beautiful in that picture!

courtney said...

i always stop. which is easy since i've only seen one kid selling lemonade in the past 6 years. what happened to the industry of our young?

on a side note, i wonder if you'll ever have occassion to use that tag again...

Jill J said...

I'm with you...I always stop at lemonade stands. It puts a smile on everyone's face. i always pretend to take a sip, and say "mmmm that's delicious", but pour it out the window on the way home. My personal lemonade stand experience extended well beyond age 12. In fact we would go door to door in highschool and charge something ridiculous like "57 cents" You get more money that way because who has 57 cents? Its gonna be 75 cents more often than not.

Lynn said...

I miss you...come back to California! We had a 4th of July with all the siblings...except you...:( Can we at least make plans?! Much love and good wishes to you from your California mom.

Brecken said...

have you gone mia??? where are you? What's up? How's your new place? You need to come for dinner. text or call me, we need to catch up.