Lemonade

'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.'

   I have always thought this was a silly thing to say. I mean, what else would you do with a lemon?!?

   However, through out the past week this phrase kept running through my head. Over and over. In quite possibly the most annoying way. This week I've had several things I thought were certain to happen, but did not.  A week's worth of lemons. A huge BAG of lemons, you could say.
 
   During a self hosted pity party (a few invites were sent, but everyone declined), I found myself strolling with my son through Von's .... the most incredible bead store I've ever set eyes on... and older woman stopped and engaged me in conversation:

   "May I asked just what you are planning to do with all those different beads?" she asked.
   "Well," I said, "the pearls are for wedding party gifts that will have a personalized disc hanging at the end for each bridesmaid...these crystals will be threaded within leather bands for a bracelet...the colorful, big beads are for kids book bag tags..."
   "Oh my!!!" she squealed.  "I tell ya, creativity is just something you either have or you don't!"
   "Uh. Well.  I disagree.  I'm an art teacher and I think if things are made simple enough to understand, anyone can learn to be creative.  Everyone has it in them, some just need more guidance than others on how to see it and use it." I said.
    She reached out and touched my arm.
   "Oh honey!  Your kids are soooo lucky to have you as a mom! You just keep doing what it is you are doing!" she said.
    Just then my son looked up at me with a smile beaming across his face and he hugged my leg. 

   And that's when I realized a tall, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade can make everything in life better.  I just needed that cup of sugar in the form of a stranger's kind words.  

   I'll have mine with an umbrella....for the sake of creativity. 

Life is what you make it.