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Well, show #1 is done! What an experience with a wide range of emotions felt throughout the three days. It was quite humbling to put yourself out there with a product that you alone have produced. I have worked many trade shows in my professional life so I knew what to expect in so far as the logistics of it went, but it is entirely different when the product you are selling is you!
The greatest moments though were, without a doubt, those conversations we had with people about their own childhood Christmas memories. One gal had grown up a few blocks from us in Saskatoon and bought one for her Dad as he loved their house on Murphy as of course, did she because of all the memories. A heartfelt discussion ensued about how hard it is to drive by your old family home. Personally, I cannot do it anymore as it breaks my heart every time to see all the changes and lack of care being given to the home my parents built. And when I say "built", I mean they literally built it themselves. If the heart has a memory then I do think it must be gratitude! I saw this image today when I was searching for a quote and I think it fits. As I get older the more grateful I become for all of the heart-warming Christmases we shared as a family. The more grateful we are the stronger those heartfelt memories beat and live on.
We had one lady exclaim with joy as she paged through the recipes, "Oh, I have not had a good Jam-Jam in forty years!" We then talked about why they used jam for some sweetness back in the depression and really, it was because they had no sugar for icing. Everyone had preserves though. My Grandma used to make the best plum jam. I can still taste it!
I had one lady ask me to inscribe the book as follows: "For Grandma to read to her Little Stars" ... love it! Then, there was the mother who smiled when I told her there was a story about a girl named Qwynn as her eldest daughter was a Quinn. She was holding her newborn Chloe in her arms and shed a tear or two as she commenced reading "A Home for the Holidays." As I mentioned in a FB post though ... signing one "To Baby Jack for his First Christmas" was a definite highlight!
So many excited little faces we engaged with! I asked them all if they were readers and encouraged them to keep reading because it was so important and gave them a bookmark. My chest grew tight and I was filled with awe as I watched a very serious little girl in a bright pink jacket with her black hair in pigtails, carefully and expertly page through the book to look at each illustration. She studied each one so intently and I just wondered what she was thinking of as she stared at each. She could not have been more than four years old, but you could tell this was a child that loved books already. So refreshing to see. Was she writing her own story to go with the pictures? I hope so.
Best line of all though was the lady who said, "Oh, I bought that book last year." She was convinced she had it at home and had read it a year ago. Funny! I just smiled and encouraged her to come back with the book the next day and I would be happy to sign it for her. (Please note that my book was just released in August - lol! ) I also had one lady ask me, "What's Advent?" That took me aback but should not really. I was happy to share the meaning with her.
So, all in all, a weekend of learning for me too! Again, a huge shout out to my sis and bro for always being ready and willing to lend their hands!
I will end this with a great post I saw yesterday, "Readers are born on the laps of their parents!"
Shine on!
-K