My mom was born in 1934, right in the Great Depression. I have heard stories over the years of her family's struggles to survive. Once they lived off of Cauliflower that they gleaned from the fields around them. Her parents were migrant workers at the time. They ate that, and canned tomatoes with some macaroni for 3 months. Not spaghetti and meatballs… it was cauliflower, tomatoes, and macaroni! My dad said he didn’t even know that the depression was over until they read it in school books. Everyone was just so poor.
Needless to say, these things are always in the back of my mind.
For those who didn’t know my mom, she was tiny. Probably a lot due to the lack of nutrition at an early age… but she was strong, steady, quiet, and calm. She had 5 kids, how was she so calm??? I never saw her lose her bananas, I still to this day don’t know how she did it. I think I saw her cry once and oh did it break my heart.
I was a wild child, the youngest, the only girl, and 100% spoiled. I think back and wonder how she put up with me? When I was 15, I pulled a real nice stunt and smuggled speed onto a school bus headed to a volleyball game. Mind you, they probably had less caffeine than most energy drinks today… but anyway! :) It was the wrong choice and I got caught. As punishment, I was kicked off the cheerleading and volleyball teams for the season. Remember, I was a 15 year old in a very small community, so this was a big deal. During the long walk to the car from the principal's office, the only thing my mom said was “Don’t let it ruin you”. Those words stuck with me from that moment forward
I also remember my mom telling me to not find myself at 50 without any skills or outside interests of my own. She was experiencing empty nest syndrome I suppose and her purpose in life had changed. She did have many hobbies, things like oil painting and gardening, but having purpose is huge. It was for her, and it is for me.
These words have carried inspiration through my life and were a foundational part of my own business. Early on I had some house cleaning jobs and what not but my main focus was being a stay at home mom. So, what was I even going to do at 50??
Fast forward to today, I am 53 years old. I love having my own business. It’s like seeing an old friend everytime I walk inside my shop. The mix of smells reminds me of all the people I have met, and all of the places we’ve been together. There is so much purpose in my craft; it is art, but more so functional art. I create practical products that are useful across time. Owning a business has its challenges and trials, but I’ve learned to not let it ruin me, and show up with perseverance and heart.
So for a few important things that my parents have taught me:
Working hard for what you want, from my dad.
Doing something for myself that I could carry with me after my kids were grown, from my mom.
The life long lessons of purpose, perseverance, hard work, and passion all helped shape what Primitive Pansies is today. What a gift. What a blessing!
We all got here from somewhere. Thank those that helped you get there!
I’d like to thank everyone, the friends, family, fans, clients… Thank you for your continued support.
Thanks mom and dad for not selling me to the circus! :)
-Twyla
