Growing up in Spa

Living in the Spa world is not all glam, but on occassion, we do have some glamorous moments. I do have the opportunity once in a while to meet some very famous and interesting people, and those are fun times. Sometimes we at Vasaio, even have the opportunity to be honored ourselves.

It was about a year and a half into our business when we were asked to represent our Spa for Juvenille Diabietes Foundation at the Fredrick Meijer Gardens for three reasons. One, we host a non-profit party every year at Vasaio for JDRF through Foremost Insurance Agency and thousands of dollars are raised. Two, because this foundation is pretty near and dear to our hearts with two type one diabetic daughters, and three, because they wanted to feature an old car and we happen to own a 1956 Bentley for the theme was the 1940's and Fred and Lena Meijer were being honored at this event.

At this point in time, I was feeling particularly special for this invitation. Though I did not have 2 cents to rub right then, I mustered enough together to buy a beautiful dress and a new pair of hose to wear at the this exquisit black tie event. Vic and I looked great! "Boy, were we going to be the talk of the town!" Getting into the Bentley that evening, I accidentally snagged and ran my hose. I was madder than a wet hen. Needless to say, we still arrived an hour early to place the Bently just perfectly, directly in front of the Fredrick Meijer Garden for all to see the Vasaio logo...I had recovered just long enough to once again feel pretty important, when all of a sudden a mini van pulled right in front our our beautiful Bentley and parked.

My well deserved anger reared again. Here we were looking like a million bucks and a undeserving car- a mini van- pulled up and blocked the soon to be arriving guests view to know we had arrived, and to see Vasaio's really cool car!

A few moments later, the woman driving the vehicle stepped out of the car to assist an elderly couple out of the back seat. As I peered a bit closer, I realized it was Fred and Lena Meijer. I began to slump down in my luxury car, but it was too late. Mr. and Mrs. Meijers had spotted the car and realized there were people in it. I rolled down the window as Mrs. Meijers approached the car. "My, My, what a car, you must be somebody special!". "No, Mrs. Meijers, I'm not, really, but you are, congratulations on being honored this evening." She just smiled and said I was being silly and to come join them as we all waited for the other guests to arrive.

I want to grow up to be Lena Meijer. Not because of all the fame, financial means they have aquired over the years, but despite that fact, she is a humble, unpretentious human being and gracious to the max. I literally want to grow up and be like Lena. I hope that one day someone will say the same of me.