Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The other day I went to the grocery store. Yes, I actually do grocery shop. As I was checking out, there was an adorable young gal in front of me with two small children. Needless to say, I started chatting with her.

I discovered she is from Minnesota and her husband is in the Military. I immediately thanked her and her husband and family for protecting our country and making so many sacrifices. Of course, I then mentioned “I travel to Minnesota all the time”. Her response was what I had expected, “So what do you do?” I answered, “I’m with a lingerie company.” This always provokes more questions, which always brings me to, “I’m with a company called UndercoverWear and I do lingerie home parties.”

Her response was immediate. “Oh my gosh, I just had an UndercoverWear party a few months ago in Minnesota.” Well, I was delighted. She continued. “As a matter of fact, my mother and grandmother both attended.” Without pause, she said, “Oh, and by the way, my Grandmother used to sell UndercoverWear.”

I immediately corrected her. “No, you mean your Mother was an Agent.” “No,” she said quite adamantly, “my Grandmother used to sell.” She continued, “As a matter of fact she mentioned that she had gone on trips and loved UndercoverWear. In fact when my grandmother was at my party, she was telling everyone that she still had a long nightgown that she loved.” Our course I knew that was Countess – but who cared. I was still stuck on the fact that her Grandmother sold UndercoverWear. Her Grandmother – not her older sister – not her mother – her Grandmother. Here is this adult woman who I thought was perhaps a bit younger than I – okay significantly younger than me but telling me her Grandmother sold UndercoverWear was painful. When did I get old????

Now I suppose I could rejoice in the fact that UndercoverWear has touched three generations of women. And I suppose I could take pride in how UndercoverWear has helped woman reach their goals and achieve their dreams. Sorry none of that crossed my mind. I was still stuck on how many years I have been doing this!! And further how freakin’ old I must be and never even knew it. I can deal with being a “tutu” to a five year old. I love my granddaughter Niccie. But I am having a bit of a problem being a grandmother to hundreds of thousands of women in UndercoverWear.

So after doing a great deal of pondering and self-reflection, I took the hula-hoop out, got on the treadmill, and started that dreadful diet yet again. I can take solace in looking at our fellow Agent Alyce Flionis who is 87 and quite fabulous!!! But here me loudly and clearly, this “grandmamma—tutu—nana—refuses to grow old! The number may go up –but the drive, determination and passion of my youth will never wane.

So fellow young dynamic women – let’s “kick it up a notch” and remember life is not a spectator sport. Let’s have FUN!!!!!!

Tiffany James