Last weekend we moved our sign shop.
I didn’t think too much about it. I went to the shop focused on all the work that needed to be done. I wasn’t ready.
The shop was empty. Everything was gone. The printers were gone. The mess was cleaned. The walls were white.
And I cried. I tried really hard not to make a scene in front of all the guys there to help move. So I held it together and made it to my office.
This was Brad’s company. He built it all. He started in high school with a small vinyl cutter, making stickers. He poured all his effort-all is passion into this business. It frustrated the crap out of him sometimes, but most of the time, it made him happy-proud.
When we moved to this location, over 6 years ago we had one shop bay and two employees (him and I.) Quickly, we needed more room. The sign shop was busy and we needed more equipment--more help. We ended up with three bays, and five employees.
He was 28 years old and ran a very successful business.
I could not be more proud of him. I could not be more proud to be his wife.
I wish I was more like him.
This is a good thing--I had to keep reminding myself. The best scenario possible. (except of course, him being here and none of this happening.)
Brad’s Dad, my awesome father-in-law, bought the company from me. Once we made that decision, a giant weight was taken off my shoulders. I have no idea how to run a sign shop. He’s moving it into a new, bigger, better location, and investing in a new router to allow us to expand. I feel really good about the changes.
The sign shop will stay in the family. It will continue to be a part of the community. It will grow in the way that Brad always dreamed it would.
But it’s still hard.
It was hard to see his shop all gutted. It was hard to clean up all his stuff, even the crap that he’d collected over the years. It was hard to see everything that he’d always worked for boxed up and loaded.
It’s hard to know that everything he ever wanted for the sign shop is going to happen.
Without him.
Life is moving on. The shop is moving on. I’m moving on. Without him.
It has to happen.
This is a good thing.
7 comments:
Good things may be good but still they are not always easy. I hope you are doing ok. I was thinking about you a lot today. I love you and miss you.
Ok, I just want to tell you how inspiring you are. You are such a good writer and such a strong person. I truly look up to you. You amaze me and I love reading your blog.xoxox
Tahsha, my heart still breaks for you. I'm so sorry. I think about you often. Your writing is incredible... I never remember you being a writer?
I'm sorry, I wish wish wish you didn't have to go through this.
Way to be so positive though. Despite everything you still have such a encouraging out look on life. You're doing great.
Tahsha what a great and expressive post. Way to look at the good in a realistic way. You are my hero.
Hi Tahsha,
I'm not sure if you'd even remember me or not, but we had you and Brad do some work for us when we had our business on main street years ago. It was clear back when it was just the two of you running the place. :) I remember how wonderful you both were to work with and was always impressed with Brad and how easy it was to do business with him. I remember thinking you guys were such a cute, CUTE couple. You still are!!
I can't imagine how difficult it must be to see his dream that he built - now be changed - changed without him. Change is so hard, but like you said, it's also good.
As things continue to change for you and your sweet daughter, I hope for the best for you, and hope that you find strength during your challenges.
I'm so sorry that your sweet husband and best friend passed away. It breaks my heart when I try to even contemplate what sort of emotions you must be feeling.
I hope you can continue to keep your chin up... even during the most difficult days ahead.
Love,
- Liz Rosenbaum
Oh Tahsha, I can't imagine. My thoughts and prayers are still with you so often. You don't have to think of it as "moving on", think of it as "moving forward". You will never have to fully move on from Brad because you have him for eternity...you only have to move forward for awhile.
Your strength and faith is so encouraging to me. Love you.
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