32

I turned 32 today.
Do I feel different?  I do.
Do I feel older? Yes


I have been doing a lot of self reflection lately.  Probably to much worrying, to much thinking, to many "should I have done something else".  The other things twirling in my mind is the future if only I knew what it would hold.  I guess that is normal right?  The other biggie for me is the older we get we see the people who we look up to get older. I am sure you know where I am going with that one...
Forgive me for jumping around.
This is for sure a bitter sweet birthday.  I am a great-granddaughter, a granddaughter and a daughter of three generations of entrepreneurs.  I guess being one my self was in my blood.  I could not escape it.  I played "grocery store" more than I played school growing up.  I stood on a milk crate and Grandma Sharon let me ring customers out at the Super Duper.  Grandpa Tom so tall looking over the deli case at you while I would order my favorite hard salami. I see my little brother whizzing down the aisles with the little buggies and him and I wanting to play super market sweep.   Then it was their turn... my two heroes. I have watched them for a decade take the grocery store and put their own spin on it.  A spin that was all their own.  Mom's secret family recipes to Dad taking on the sausage making tradition.
They were independent grocery store owners.  A dying small business.  They all lived the American dream.  I am proud of who my family is and who we have become.  They have taught me with hard work anything can be achieved.
My Facebook post....
Fondly,
Cathy & Kevin
Williams IGA

I am who I am today because of three generations of entrepreneurs. This has been one of the hardest things to see my family go through. Bitter sweet that is for sure.... I am so proud of you Mom (Cathy Williams Turner) & Dad (Kevin Turner) as you have told me to follow my heart and hold my head high with everything I do it is now your turn... with all my love...

Written with Home Town Pride by my MOM:

We are writing this letter to inform our LOYAL customers that after decades of service to Vienna, it is with mixed emotions, that Sunday June 1st, 2014, will be Williams IGA's last day of business. We would like to take this opportunity to let you know that our sentiments are heartfelt. We have shared many chapters of life with all of you over the years. From births to deaths. This chapter is now closing but a new one is beginning...Retirement. Thank-you from the bottom of our hearts for your support over the years. We will miss you!

The shelves are emptier and our hearts are sad but I know that it for the best.  I look forward to see what the next year will bring.  I will say this I will be getting the best business manger...