05/20/2024
This will be lengthy, so bear with me. We can do difficult things. That seems to be a familiar theme people encourage these days. It's hard to learn the hard way since not everything is easy and given to us on a silver platter.
We have collectively made the decision to close the business after 17 years. It has been a long, but fulfilling journey. Yes, this is definitely one of those hard things. Those who personally know me, know that I have multiple ongoing health challenges. Unfortunately, since my hospitalization with Covid a few years ago those have only multiplied. My mom also broke her back last year followed by three grueling surgeries which resulted in a permanent spinal cord injury. That has left my Dad as her primary caretaker. With a LOT of hard work, she has gotten herself to be able to walk with the aid of a walker. Doctors say that is nearly unheard for patients with a spinal cord injury like hers. They are shocked that she has managed it! I'm so proud of her and the work she's done to get so far. Dad has stepped up in every way to help her even when she couldn't help herself. Additionally, I've pushed some health issues on the back burner for too long now and that has come back to bite me. I'll be having surgery next week to try to repair my ankle/foot/leg. I put off a surgery about 7 years ago or so because it was just never the "right time" to schedule and take off for recovery when you're running a business. That is one thing that has come back and bitten me hard. Now, my ankle/leg/foot are injured and in far, far worse shape. The surgery requires a somewhat lengthy recovery, so it is time to close this chapter. The moving on part will take longer, but that's okay. We can do hard things.
We are so very grateful for all the wonderful people we've met and helped along the way. I remember hearing a few months after we opened that a prior employer said we wouldn't last the year. Look at us now 17 years later, and we are going out on our terms not how he predicted. That's a win in my book! Is this painful, yes beyond belief. Is it time, yes.
I was hired into this business exactly one month after my 19th birthday. My whole career life has been in title and closings. This will be challenging to navigate. I can't say I want out of the business permanently. Who knows maybe I'll pop back up somewhere some day. It's just not feasible to continue to run the company with the significant challenges my parents and I are both facing in our current seasons of life. I'm working on being okay with that too, as okay as someone can be.
I'd like to give the biggest shout out to my/our longest and most loyal supporter, Gayle Halvorson. She has stood by me for close to 27 years now. One thing I won't miss is that pain of working so hard all hours and days of the week for people to say you are the best of the best and "love you" until they just don't. I am loyal to a fault, so that is something I will never comprehend. Gayle though, she's not like those others. She's the sweetest, most precious soul. She is family and always will be. She encourages me in every way. I'm so grateful that God brought us together when I wasn't more than just a kid learning the ropes. She is a true treasure, and I am blessed in many ways by our journey together. We've had so many of you who have been fiercely loyal to us over the years, I can't begin to put names. We can never thank all of you enough. We helped so many families, and in turn every single one of you and each closing has helped our family. Remember to support the small guys, the local ones where every transaction provides directly for them. Where your business makes the difference in whether they can afford braces for their child's teeth or to pay for their participation in school functions, etc On the flip side, the loss of that business often means no braces, no school activities, no way to afford medicines etc. I can guarantee you it means so much more to them than just a paycheck from a large company. Help the little guy; be the fiercely loyal supporters that help them accomplish hard things.
Let's start wrapping this up...I just want to say thank you to my parents for supporting my crazy dream and joining me on this journey. I couldn't have done it without you. I love you for supporting me blindly. To my husband, my bestie, my number one cheerleader, you have seen the good, the bad, the ugly and taken it all in stride. You never wavered in your choice being putting me first even when I haven't put myself first. I'll love you forever and always. Our kiddos have grown to adults supporting mom too. They've seen the good and the bad in this industry and always trusted the process. I love our kiddos. They help give me the strength I need for this. To anyone still reading this book of a post at this point, we will forever be grateful that you chose to Have FAITH in us. We can do hard things, and so can you!
Always~ Jennifer Craig Quinn 💜
with Steve and Sharon Craig
