Gail Cawley Showalter

A well dressed, high-powered businesswoman was at the counter of the day care center, when a single mother walked up with a beautiful toddler and an older child, one on either hand. She wore a unique patchwork jacket embellished with beads.

The businesswoman complimented the single mom on her exquisite jacket. And asked where she bought it. The single mom replied that she made it herself. The businesswoman then asked why she didn’t market her skill. The mom  said she spent her time with her children, enjoying her friends, and wasn’t interested in marketing her craft.

The businesswoman scoffed, “I am a fashion designer and I could open doors for you. You could have your own line. You would attend the fashion shows. You could travel to Paris and all the high fashion houses. Your whole life would change. You could move from this small town to the city and live the high life.”

The mom asked, “But ma’am how long would all this take?” To which the businesswoman replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then, ma’am?”

The businesswoman laughed and said that’s the best part. When the time is right you will sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You will make millions.

“Millions, ma’am? Then what?”

The businesswoman said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small lovely town where you would sleep late, sew a little, play with your kids, have picnics on Sunday afternoon, ride your bike to the village, and share quiet meals with your friends.”

The single mother loaded her baby onto the back of her bicycle, her older child onto his bike and they rode to their home in the small lovely town where they lived.