In the month of February, we take the time to show just a little extra love to those we cherish year round. I reflect on the years that I had to choose working long days at Allure to provide for my loved ones instead of being able to spend time with them at home. I feel honored to work alongside women who also have children and dedicate many long hours at Allure to provide for them. This month, I wanted to dedicate the newsletter to the children at Allure Spa and share a few cute stories about them. From all the years of observing the children grow up, I have always enjoyed listening to their little voices and their innocent thoughts.
One of my favorite stories I wanted to share with you was when my son Christian had just turned five years old. We had just moved to a new neighborhood in Quincy, and Christian was able to make friends very quickly. He used to be so excited to wake up and run out the door to play with the girls around the neighborhood. One afternoon, when he returned, Christian proposed the silliest yet cutest and innocent thought to me. "Mom..." he said, "If my friend is called Julia White and my other friend is called Casey Brown, why can't I be called Christian Black? From now on, I will be called Christian Black and we will be the "Blacky family." So amused by his sweet innocence, all I could do is giggle and think to myself, that it should have been put in a children's book.
Another cute and innocent story about Christian took place a few years later when he was thirteen. During one of my busy days between attending to my family at Allure as well as my family at home, the doorbell rang. Not expecting anyone that I knew, I simply asked Christian to open the door and tell whoever was there that he was home with the babysitter and to try back again another day. A few seconds later, I hear Christian yell, "Mom! Someone is at the door for you." Startled by the call as I was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner, I hustled over to the door to see who it was and what it was that they needed. Pitching a sale, I told them that I was busy in the kitchen and to try back when my husband was home. As I closed the door, I frantically looked at my son and said, "Christian, didn't I tell you to say that I was not home. I am very busy in the kitchen." His response to me in a soft voice was, "Mom, if you are going to hang The Ten Commandments on the wall, thou shall not be a false witness." Amazed by the fact that he actually remembered what I instilled in him growing up, I said to him, "You're right son."
I can't believe our youngest Allure baby, Effie, is celebrating her fourth birthday this month! Erin Gillis, one of our estheticians and longtime employee had Effie on February 2nd. She entered the world with a loud scream, beautiful red locks, and amazing blue eyes! Effie graces her presence at Allure a couple times a week to check in on the staff. She always gets dressed up in her most glitzy outfit to visit us. Lately, she wears diamond clip-on earrings, and beautiful hair ties! For the past year, Effie has pretended to be me at the front desk of Allure. She answers her house phone and play phone with, "Allure Spa, how can I help you?" I look forward to watching little Effie grow, and hopefully one day be an employee at Allure Spa!
Ellen, one of our spa coordinators, brought her son Nicholas into Allure Spa this past summer for a haircut appointment with Viola. Nicholas is one of those friendly young boys, who can converse well beyond his years.
The next day when Ellen came to work, she had a funny story to share with me. She told me that Nicholas was looking forward to meeting her boss when he came in the day before to get his haircut and was actually quite disappointed that he did not get to. She laughed at him and said, "Hunny, that was my boss that you were talking to at the front desk." She then proceeded to tell me that Nicholas had this preconception that I would have been more of a blonde type. Having nothing to have built his conception on, I thought it was quite cute that had just used his imagination to picture what I would look like.
Shanel, another one of our spa coordinator, returned from her service trip to Belize during which she taught young students. She shared with us her amazement in the fact that the children in Belize have very little and endure such struggles well beyond their age, yet still, one thing that cannot be stripped from them is their innocence. Hearing their uncontrollable belly laughs and such funny and honest remarks were her most memorable parts of the trip. The children were so excited in joy to have Shanel and her group there to help. One student approached Shanel and said to her, "Miss, are you a movie star?"
On her last day, as tears were shed and goodbyes were being said, another student said to her, "Miss why are you crying?" Her response to the little girl was that "Because I don't want to leave you guys. I love it here so much." The little girl looked up and said, "So why don't you stay? I have an extra room. The bed is broken but we can fix it for you."
This February, we will be welcoming another Allure Spa baby to our family! I pray that Viola has a smooth delivery and a very healthy baby boy! My staff and I are very excited to share all the memories and innocence of this little child in the years to come!
If you have any cute stories about the children in your life, would love to hear them too!
God bless,
Sandra Ishmael
