Today I went to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Flagship Store for Deseret Book in downtown Salt Lake City. The store really blew me away. Looked great!! It was so successful at making me want to buy stuff while I was there I actually bought stuff while I was there. I concluded that any author or artist displayed in this retail space has to feel like the proverbial big shot-
I was excited to see that the MISSION TO BE HAPPY book/CD had it’s own “end cap” which I learned today is a retail marketing term that means the product takes a rather prominent space at the “end” of the row so if a customer is just strolling down the main corridor they will be much more easily seduced into checking out that featured product that’s lingering there at the “end cap”. Having written a book and accompanying songs that have achieved “end cap” status was pretty cool for me today. It filled some rather gaping holes in my resume. Though I have no Oscars and no Grammys sitting on my shelves at home I DO have an END CAP sitting prominently on the aisle at the New Flagship Store of Deseret Book. A part of me chooses to believe that finally, I’ve arrived. The other part is pretty sure I’m just delusional. But I digress.
The real triumph of the day was not achieving end cap status. No, the big moment came later when I got home and heard my grandson calling me by the name he gave me when he was first learning to talk. TAPPAW!!!! TAPPAW!!!! TAPPAW!!! There was an urgency in his voice that literally pulled me to his side.
“What is it, Bucky?” I cried as I raced upstairs. As if he’d planned it for maximum theatrical impact, he said not a word, but let the image he was holding in his outstretched arms do all of his talking for him. It was poop. His poop. It was his FIRST poop in a potty. For about a year Bucky’s been asked by virtually every adult relative he has if he’d like to poop in his child size potty , and he’s had no interest. He’s been the recipient of several techniques for potty training little ones, but none of those worked….at all!
But today as he proudly displayed his exceptional accomplishment I got rather emotional. It was a robust dump, worthy of a seasoned veteran of pottydom, but it came from my first timer grandson, and I was proud. M2B:) proud. I’d have given him a high five but his hands were full.
When I devoted a chapter and a song in my M2B:) book to unexpected joys this wasn’t what I had in mind. But I’ve got to be honest. This was a much bigger deal that I thought (in more ways than one).
The entire experience put a grin on my face. I think you know what kind.
3 Comments
LOL–I presented at a career day yesterday and told the kids to look build their own confidence by creating opportunities in which they could succeed, then celebrate their successes–big or small. I used the example of when my child had a hard time staying dry at night–when he did make it through the night I cheered and pumped him up about. I wanted the kids to look for those kinds of people in their lives. I’ll admit that the kids did not seem impressed with a potty-training example–but I’m gratified to know that both you and I can appreciate the important successes in life
It was great to meet you, and I enjoyed the CD on the way home, very well done.
Two thoughts. Arrived. Can’t. Sorry. Because that would mean the journey is over and it isn’t!!! You’ve still got more music in you.
Second. Oh boy do I understand that whole pooping thing. My speacial needs son finally learned how to go in the toilet a few months ago and boy howdy was it a big deal. (He’s eight). I was so excited I ran down the street and rang door bells and when neighbors came to the door I screamed HE POOPED IN THE TOILET!!!! Oh was it ever a M2B:) moment.
What a happy day you had! I’m glad you have an End Cap. “Celebrate! It’s a celebration. Celebrate………”
Today, my M2B:) is tomorrow is my special needs son big day!!! He’s getting baptized! He doesn’t need to be but he wants to be so we’re going for it and although it takes place tomorrow, the Lord has blessed me with several good days (healthwise/energy) to get ready this week. More baking and cleaning today for the big day!!! And my heart continues to over flow as more and more people apologize for intruding but ask if they can come. I am amazed at how many lives our Levi has touched. Wow! Intrude? Absolutely not! I find it touching that they want to be a part of Levi’s special day. A special day for a special kid.
BAHhahahaahah! You are such a ‘Dad’ Grandpa. Isn’t it great??!! My granddaughter Sara always tells me that her care bear panties are dry! And every time I have to say ” Oh Sara, you are such a big girl!” Congratulations on your end cap…what’s next? A Greatest Hits Album??
Oh, and are you doing any signings or appearances Conference weekend? I’m going to be downtown and would love get your book and have it signed!