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When Life Gives You Lemons...

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Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty NRDS # 146013739

When Life Gives You Lemons - Make Lemonade!

This is my first entry into the December Active Rain Challenge on Acts of Kindness sponsored by Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, and Dr. Paula McDonald.

 

We have all heard that expression when something goes wrong in a situation, but the person chooses to turn it into a positive result.  Sometimes, it is used to create a feeling of optimism or a "can do" attitude.  Well,  it happened to me one day... 

 

BTW - This proverb is attributed to Elbert Hubbard in 1915. 

Here is the exact quote....“A genius is a man who takes the lemons that Fate hands him and starts a lemonade stand with them.” – Elbert Hubbard.

 

Camp Verde Taco Bell - call Sheri Sperry for all your Sedona and Verde Valley real estate needs @ 928.274.7355

 

Sedona does not have a lot of fast food places.  This is probably a good thing.  So when my husband or I crave fast food, we usually have to go to a neighboring town.  All we have in Sedona is a McDonald's with teal arches and a Subway. There is also a Chipotle in Uptown as well.  That is it. All the other well-known brands either did not make it in Sedona or never came here.  

 

So What Does Taco Bell Have To Do With Acts of Kindness?

 

I was visiting one of my listings recently, so I thought I would bring home a Taco Bell treat for lunch.  This Taco Bell is right off Interstate Highway 17 and the SR 260 in Camp Verde.  As I was driving, I was thinking about my drive-thru order and just pulled right into the lane where they took the order.  See the map below...

 

Drive thru at Taco Bell - - call Sheri Sperry for all your Sedona and Verde Valley real estate needs @ 928.274.7355

 

After I pulled forward, closer to the take-out window, I noticed the car behind me came from a different direction.  ALL OF A SUDDEN, I realized that I had cut in front of 4 other cars waiting to go into the drive-thru.  I was MORTIFIED.  I got out of my car and apologized to the driver of the car behind me.  He said, "Don't worry about it."  I couldn't go back to the other three cars to apologize, so I decided to fix this another way.   

 

When I got to the window and paid my bill, I handed $80 to the cashier and told her to use that money to pay for the cars behind me.  I was not sure how far that $80 would go, but I was hoping it would, at the least, cover the four cars I cut off.  

 

I am hoping that the deed will resonate with those drivers and they will pay it forward.  It is all about intentions. I had nothing but good intentions, and I hope I helped make someone else's day.  

 

Tristan and Nani - For all your Sedona and Verde Valley real estate needs call Sheri Sperry at 928.274.7355

 

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Thank you, Wayne Martin. I wanted to take care of all the cars I cut in front of.  I just hope that $80 covered all four.  In today's world, that might not be the case.  

Dec 09, 2023 10:10 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Nina Hollander, Broker -  I might guess that living in NYC, this is not much of an option, so you never got in a routine.  Besides, you had fabulous choices of restaurants and take-out.  

In Southern California and elsewhere, drive-thru lines are a way of life.  

Dec 09, 2023 10:17 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® hi Sheri... a never even had a McDonalds till I went to college in 1966. When Chris and I lived in NY City we really never did takeout. On occasion we would order pizza or Chinese for delivery. We were just not in that habit.

Dec 09, 2023 11:57 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Dorie Dillard Austin TX -  I didn't even give it two thoughts.  I had the money so I was going to pay for those cars.  

Dec 09, 2023 10:21 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Marte Cliff - You are so right.  I am glad I could brighten up someone's day by my mistake. 

Dec 09, 2023 10:23 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Roy.

This is my daily routine.  I don't think about it.  I just do it. 

Dec 09, 2023 10:24 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

That's a neat story, Sheri.  Taco Bell is one of my favorite drive-thru restaurants.  I also like Jimboy's Tacos, Burger King, and Carl's Jr.

Dec 09, 2023 04:48 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Sheri, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Dec 09, 2023 04:53 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Thank you, Myrl, for featuring this.  I always appreciate it. 

Dec 09, 2023 05:18 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Myrl Jeffcoat -  I am not sure why Sedona does not have more fast-food restaurants.  I wonder if part of the issue is supply.  We did have a Burger King and a Taco Bell but they both left.  Not having the convenience does limit us from indulging.  Haha!

Dec 09, 2023 05:21 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

That can be tricky, you did the right thing my friend, Sheri 😇

Dec 11, 2023 03:31 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Sheri:

That must have been embarrassing but you did the right thing. What a wonderful act of kindness those other drivers received from you.

Jeff

Dec 14, 2023 03:55 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Sheri Sperry - MCNE®  funny we can walk to three Fast Food Places from our house and so glad we have the willpower to not walk there:)Endre

Dec 16, 2023 11:23 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Sunday afternoon, Sheri.

Have an outstanding week.

Happy Holidays!

Dec 17, 2023 01:08 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

I can understand the shock you felt after cutting off the other customers, Sheri. Paying it backward (instead of forward) was the right thing to do and you did! 

Dec 17, 2023 06:25 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh my gosh, I LOVE that picture of you & Tristan! ❤️❤️❤️

Sheri, I have done the same thing at a Starbucks and like you, was mortified when I realized what I had done. At the moment, there was no going to the back of the line because of the way the lines were set up (curbs to keep you in line). And, like you, I hopped out and apologized to the guy that I pulled in front of and paid for his order when I got to the window (because they knew how much it was as we were placed in the 'pay' lane after our orders were taken). I didn't get a horn honk either but, it did make me feel better to not have someone angry with me!! LOL

OH and my tag has my company name on it! I hadn't even thought of that until I got home and Ray said, "You not only made that guy's day but, you saved your company's reputation [tag]!!"

Dec 18, 2023 07:47 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Sheri Sperry - MCNE®  hope all is well miss your posts, and I am sure there is a reason for it:)Endre

Dec 20, 2023 11:38 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Endre Barath, Jr. - Thank you.  It is the nature of the season.  Also, we took a few days off to shop for Xmas in Scottsdale.  It was a much-needed working break.  I still had client communication to deal with. 

As for your previous comment, my husband would NOT have the willpower to stay away from fast food places if he could walk there.  He would justify it by walking! Haha~

Dec 24, 2023 08:37 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

HI Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - I didn't have to think about it.  I just reacted to what I thought was the right thing to do.  But you are correct.  It could have been tricky getting out of my car.

Dec 24, 2023 08:39 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! LOL!  YOu are so right.  I was paying it backward!  Too funny!

Dec 24, 2023 08:40 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi, Debe Maxwell, CRS,  Caring people think alike. As for Starbucks, I know where the line starts so I couldn't cut in without knowing.  

Dec 24, 2023 08:46 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

How great that you took a situation and turned it into a gift for others. Blessings to you this 2024!

Jan 02, 2024 07:08 AM