01/02/2020
And it is done...
2019 passes with immense joy and heartbreaking sadness. In the last hours of the day yesterday, I closed the doors of the shop for the last time. It has been a joyful and fulfilling ride for 20 years. So much to be grateful for, so many wonderful memories, and most of all, the people along the way. My family, my friends who are family, longtime friends, customers who became friends, customers who walked in one time and shared a meaningful conversation, everyone who passed through the picket gate were all part of the journey.
I will miss all the events...the parties, the celebrations, the fundraisers, the annual Christmas Open House, the annual Naval Museum Vallejo Garden Tour, our summer flea markets and so much more. I will miss my sweet cottage, the garden, the Peace roses on the picket fence in spring, the ancient olive trees, the massive oak tree, the redwoods I planted as tiny trees, now taller than the house. I will miss the neighbors who welcomed me with open arms in 2001. I will miss seeing Jack and Lynn Olson at The Basement across the street. We were good stewards of our corner of Tennessee St. I wish them continued success. And my Marley will miss her dear boyfriend Bolto next door, oh the fun they had!
The past two months of preparing to leave have been the most joyful in spite of the ever present sadness. All the calls, texts, cards, and visits have been a source of joy and comfort. And then there was the physical help! I think I can now identify as a hoarder. I like to say I just loved and appreciated too many things but probably...a hoarder!
So clearing a full retail gift shop and functioning floral business has been very tough. Here is where I am shocked and so full of gratitude that there are not enough words. To my family, my children and grandchildren Xavier and Lexi Lyon, my siblings from far and wide who arrived immediately to encourage and push forward, to Connie Howard who continues to be a positive force though it all, to Michael and Peter Wilson who spearheaded the Great Clearance Sale of 2019 and never gave up, to all my Rotary family, to Josette Lacey and my Soroptimist sisters for their kindness and generosity, to Megan Freedman and Northgate Church for help with a huge job, to Tom Phillips for kindness when I was most hopeless, to Janet Sylvain for moral support and storage! To Amadeo Ramos who was always willing to help with his truck and LUNCH. To my home neighbors Pat Schultz and her hubby, to Candy Trewin and her friend Joe, who worked around the clock the last three days, there are no words to express my gratitude.
And, to a perfect stranger, an actual angel I believe, David Franklin, who showed up two days ago and asked “Do you need help?” goes an extra big thank you. What he did was unbelievable! And to all those who helped for a few hours or a few days, thank you! And so, through all the tears and feelings of great loss, I am humbled and grateful for the outpouring of love and support from so many.
Moving into 2020, I am proud to announce that I will continue my special event floral design for sympathy, weddings, corporate parties etc, I am able to do that in a beautiful new space built out in the basement of my home. It was a surprise gift from my siblings, especially my brother David and brother in law Bill Stiewig with love and support from sis Nancy McClain and brother in law Bruce, and hard, hard work by sisters Denise Stiewig, Julie Michelmore and Ann Gammon. They had me up and working in literally five days. I am unbelievably blessed with love and kindness.
There is so much more to say and I’m sure I’ve missed mentioning important people in this journey but please know, I thank you and appreciate you. Special thanks to some of those who worked with me in the shop through the last 20 years, to Angie Thorpe who kept all the numbers straight, to Ronna Calderon, Patty Richards, Grace Aberle, Sue Daniels, Tina Woody and Kathy Ellison, I couldn’t have done it without you. And to all the other wonderful people in my life who have made this work, I hope you know who you are and how much I appreciate you.
And finally, to all my dear customers, no goodbyes, just I’ll see you at the next event!
Thank You, with love!
Cynthia Sproule