On Thursday, April 5th, after 12 diligent years of service, I gave my notice at HSU. On Friday, April 6th, with little more than a wing and a prayer, I signed on to assist in the resurrection and future management of a landmark Arcata retail store. And just like that, my life, my family, my friendships, my entire being catapulted into outer space.
Isn’t it funny how life works? One minute you hang the Holstee manifesto on your dining room wall. The next thing you know, you’re living it.
We opened PLAZA‘s doors on May 11th, held the obligatory ribbon cutting ceremony in late June, and never looked back. That’s the way it works in retail. You only look forward – very far forward. Which is why I began placing orders for Christmas cards….in June.
Lest you think I am crazy, well, maybe I am. However, I feel it is important to point out that Steve played no small role as my accomplice to crazy. On the night I got the phone call from Sarah telling me the plan – and the potential role I might play in it – I listened with my usual pragmatism. Wow, what an exciting and fun prospect! But I have a great job. Sensible. A job in that great world of higher ed. A job that is noble and important and connects me to the core of our greater selves as life-long learners. And I get July off! Great benefits! Union protections! And there standing next to me the entire time was my sweet and devoted husband steadfastly telling me that if I didn’t do this, I would regret it forever. And so, after days of hand-wringing and evaluating and deciding whether to follow the passion of my heart or the rational machinations of my brain, I mouthed two words that irrevocably changed everything: I’m in.
And here I am, almost 6 months later. No regrets, no what-if’s, no more July off. Who goes into retail at 40? Apparently, me.
It has been exhausting and crazy and overwhelming and fun. I have had endless support and encouragement from Steve and the kids, as well as every single other person who has listened to this story and extended their time, support and encouragement. Even with the long hours and random days off, neither Steve nor the kids have ever once lamented the complete and total upturning of their lives – which is an important point considering Steve has become the stay-at-home-dad that doesn’t stay home. He teaches a full day, then shoots off to round up kids and get dinner going. Often interspersed with that, is a tag-team routine we have intricately coordinated to manage pick-up or drop-off at birthday parties, soccer practices, dance and karate. So far, no one has been forgotten and left sitting on the curb….yet. Steve has thoroughly enjoyed reminding me of the fact that his new role frequently has him hanging out, sipping white wine and gossiping with the other moms. Essentially, he has become the Michael Keaton to my Teri Garr, which has created no end of hilarious jokes and references to Steve’s acceptance as just one of the other moms.
And so. I sit here staring down the barrel of my first holiday season of tending 4000 square feet of retail space, and can only imagine the chaos that awaits me over the next months. To which I can only say: This is your life, do what you love and do it often. I am.
