Bevitized!

I grew up in a very tiny town in the northeast corner of South
Dakota. I had two hard working parents that created a very stable
environment for my older sister, my older brother and me. We
learned the value of a dollar at a very early age and started doing
odd jobs that brought about the funding necessary for treasures
like mood rings and clock radios purchased at the tiny little
"general" store that was a two minute bike ride away from our
house. As time went on we entered adulthood and the odd jobs
became full time jobs that paid bills and bought homes that
provided a sense of security and wellbeing we once enjoyed under
our parents' roof. After graduating with honors from high school
I probably should have gone on to college but decided not to.
Instead I worked some part time jobs, married the wrong man and
learned that life is full of choices and challenges. I learned that
the challenges present some very difficult decisions and the
choices aren't always as clear as we would like them to be but at
the end of every day, if we're paying attention, there is always
something to be thankful for.
About 5 years ago I started jotting down a few thoughts and
over time those thoughts turned into walks down memory lane,
strides through difficult times, reflections on aging parents,
commentary on customers, marches through marital bliss and
every thought that transpired helped me to realize just how unique
we all really are. We look different, we talk different, we have
different opinions and that seemingly unending thought is, in fact,
unending.
It wasn't long before I realized I had developed a passion for
writing and when shared, I learned that my choice of words tends
to invite readers to go right along with me and my thoughts. My
inspiration is sparked sometimes by the smallest details included
in the credits of an ordinary day while other times it's ignited by
experiences brought about by circumstances a bit more unusual
and unexpected.
Bevitized! is a collection of short stories. They're not in any
particular order. There are stories that transpired before my
parents passed away, whimsical humor from my childhood days,
revelations from marriage number one and marriage number "I
finally got this right" as well as a great assortment of inspiration
that took root and grew while I managed custom frame shops,
inspired creativity at fabric stores, sorted mail and managed post
offices, worked as a florist, managed a c-store and booked
reservations at a hotel. My life has not been boring. I've met a lot
of interesting people and not one of them fit into the "cookie
cutter" mentality we're forced to be a part of when we make our
way into the world!
I so hope you enjoy this journey. If I did, indeed, accomplish
what I set out to do, you will laugh, be inspired, shed a tear and
realize you may not have wrinkles on your forehead just like I
don't or have a big sister that couldn't spell "blood" in third grade
just like me or hated weeding a mile long row of green beans just
like me but that you are "You-nique" just like you and you're
worth celebrating!