Opening the Doors

Quiet Before the Storm

It’s been eleven days since Reasons To Be Cheerful opened the doors.  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity.  As I sit here in my basement ‘office’ I can hear the sounds of bustling activity above me.  We’re serving 28 flavors of homemade ice cream, fountain drinks, amazing coffee, and luscious pastries.  Thanks to a hard working crew and a supportive neighborhood, the store’s opening has been a joy and by all measures a success.

We opened the doors on the afternoon of Monday, June 27th, a gorgeous summer day. Under normal circumstances, the day would have been stressful.  This was no normal day. Early in the day, my dad underwent a coronary angiogram that revealed several blocked arteries.  He needed coronary artery bypass surgery and an aortic valve replacement.  The surgery was scheduled for Friday.   My mind had greater worries than Reasons To Be Cheerful.

None the less, the show had to go on.  I rushed back from the hospital.  At 5:30 in the afternoon, with little fanfare, we unveiled the store sign and quietly opened the doors.

The response was immediate.  News of the opening spread like wild fire throughout West Concord.   The neighbors came.

The neighbors ate, drank, and were merry.

This is exactly why I opened an ice cream shop.  Smiling faces. Screams of joy.  In all my years as an engineer and teacher, I never received feedback quite like this.

The homemade ice cream, the cheerful atmosphere, the friendly staff…it all came together.

As for my dad, he came through the surgery with flying colors.  I know of no person alive with a stronger will to live.

L’Chaim!  To life!