Loyalty

I try to think back to the first time I learned about loyalty….I am sure it began on the playground of a private school where friendships were made and alliances formed. Where enemies were made and conquered as we played Red Rover and freeze tag.

I have always been a faithful and loyal friend…to the core….but once you stab me in the back…I am done. I’ve done this with boys….and I’ve done this with friends. I may smile at you and say hi…but you will not get a personal conversation from me again. I have been burned before. I have had and still do have people who outright lie about me and my family….and there is something about the age of 50…. Where I am just going to tell you, I do not have time for the nonsense.

Living in a small town we can’t hate everyone….we can’t act like we aren’t speaking to all people who upset you. That isn’t at all how God would ask us to behave…He asks us to love one another….but I do believe He does not command us to be walked all over. I believe that friendship has many different cycles. When I include you into my circle I allow you into my home, my business….my children and my husband. When you betray me or speak lies that circle is closed and you are no longer inside the circle…..

In return, I am extremely loyal to my friends. When I hear bad being spoken of my friends in rooms they are not in….I will speak for them…I do not like mean girls and gossip…I don’t have time for it…and frankly I don’t put myself on a high enough pedestal to put any thought to it.

This is a season of hardship and trials….I am grateful for life….I kicked cancers butt and am still fighting ….I am still in the ring….and frankly, I just am done with caring what others think of me. God is in my story…God will fight for me.

This holiday season is difficult for many….many have recently lost loved ones and many are dealing with recent losses as well…loss doesn’t have a timetable….the gut wrenching pain of losing a loved one isn’t easily healed.

We had our store party this past weekend….and even though not all associates could be there we had a very good time …we had a gingerbread theme this year.

Today and tomorrow are my days off and then we are in full swing for Christmas at the store.

I am thankful for the loyalty of our customers and how they support us. I am thankful for those who understand how hard we work to be honest and fair and do our best to find the best quality for our customers. It means the world to us. We also know that without their loyalty we would not be able to in turn support our community through several charities that we support …so we thank you for supporting us so that in turn we can support them.

Making our community a better place is always our goal.

Thank you to those of you who understand that, we so appreciate your loyalty.

May your Christmas be Merry and may your friends and family be loyal….such an important quality to have.