As every year has its ups and downs, 2019 brought its challenges and its gifts. The holiday season is such joyful time but it’s also one of the most exhausting times of year for us and our elves. We’re all pulling extra long shifts to make sure that shelves are full, gifts are wrapped and customers are happy. It all becomes worth it when we hear back from our customers about people loving their Maine made gifts and their pleasant shopping experiences in our stores.
This year, in mid-December, when we were all fighting off sickness and helping each other keep the spirits up we received the most heartwarming message from Melissa, a customer close to our Bath location.
Melissa included a couple photos of Gracie and the book with her message. Gracie mentions the adventure and kindness she experiences at Lisa-Marie’s and even a few of the products that we carry, like the stained glass and magnets.
Gracie drew our blue sign and even captured our typography and the “Family Owned” in our logo. She surrounded the sign with evergreen trees and a moose. (I’m not crying – YOU’re crying!) Her fellow classmates must have appreciated Gracie’s artwork as well. In a class vote, Gracie won for her cover artwork and her drawing of the Bath, Maine crane is featured on the front of the book (seen above.)
This young artist’s appreciation for our City of Ships and our little store not only made Lisa-Marie smile as Melissa hoped, but it brought her to tears. We responded to Melissa asking her to make sure that Gracie asked to meet Lisa-Marie next time she is in the shop because Lisa-Marie would love to meet her.
Knowing that we are inspiring a future generation of creatives is one of the greatest gifts we could have been given this year. Thank-you to all the inspiring creators here in Maine. You are the reason we are here, providing people like Melissa, Gracie and their family a place to experience “kindness and treasures” and share special moments with each other. And it’s nice to know that Gracie knows she can find the perfect gift at Lisa-Marie’s.
And who knows, maybe Gracie will someday bring her artwork to Lisa-Marie and perhaps someday it could be one of the “little treasures” you find on our walls.
Happy New Year! Here’s to 2020 and another year of inspiring creativity!
#lovelisamaries