Small business salute....Happy Birthday Mom....and a life lesson

Since I am finally done with the big 'Spring Clean Out' (from hell)......I was able to squeak in another trip to sunny Sarasota for Mom's Birthday, and wanted to surprise her with this post on her book store!

This month Mom turned 85 and I couldn't be prouder of her--she still works full time and is doing what she loves at her paperback book exchange: Bee Ridge Books.
Books are my Mom's passion, and about 30 years ago she decided to jump in the deep end and open a little store of her own. She found a spot just down the road from where my Dad had built his auto repair shop, located some inventory from a book store closing on Anna Maria Island, and was on her way!
My Dad built the book shelves and helped get everything rolling......
....and it has been a joy to Mom ever since.

This little shop has seen her through the loss of my Dad, her battle with cancer, and these brutal years of recession (plus the added challenge of the coming of Kindle and Nook--and the explosion of on-line book selling).

She has hung tough through it all!!

I hate to think of the small booksellers becoming extinct....these shops are a treasure trove for true book lovers and avid readers!! She has so many fabulous hard to find, and out of print books, and can provide invaluable help with comparative authors, or recommendations from her vast knowledge gathered over the years.
This trip she put me to work re-stocking the shelves....deja vu! I used to work here regularly when my boys were attending Sarasota Christian School and remember all the incredibly nice customers we had--it truly was a fun job!


Also on this trip we were delighted to have a visit from my cousin Jan and her husband Dale from the Quad City area--whom we hadn't seen in roughly 20(?) years! It was so great to see them again!!

Happy Birthday Ma!!

And the life lesson part? If possible...do what you love!!
Blessed are those who are able to pursue what they love as their work!!! I'm so glad my Mom is able to enjoy this gift!!