Letters to the Editor
Broken windowexposes treasures!
Dear Friends of Ramona Family Naturals,
We’ve all had “that call” that was too late or too early to be good news. Early last Tuesday morning we received one of those calls. It was a Ramona Sheriff Deputy informing us of a break-in at Ramona Family Naturals.
At the time I hung up the phone there were not many details and my mind raced with all the worst case scenarios. Another setback.
When I arrived at the store, the front window was shattered and large shards of glass dangled from the opening and littered our storefront. It was discouraging but I resolved to pick up and move on.
Running a small business isn’t for the faint of heart. Victoria and I have had plenty of setbacks from which we’ve recovered (equipment failures, water leaks, blackouts, bureaucratic red tape, etc.) and we were determined to make this just another pothole in our journey.
The perpetrator(s) seem to have injured themselves during the break-in and, fortunately, the glass window was the only damage/loss we encountered. That was the first sign of good news in a day that started with bad news.
But that was just the beginning. You see, what was meant for evil was used for good.
What’s good about destruction of private property? Well nothing really except the response from you all!
Someone created a website to collect money to help us with the unexpected expense, and we received calls and visits to the store asking how we are and what can be done to help us.
A family showed up with plywood, saws, and screw guns to help us board up window until it could be repaired.
You have all been such a blessing to us. We feel so appreciated and loved and we may not have realized how much until this happened. The window fund has reached its goal and covered cost and installation of the new window and the window has been installed.
This event has caused me to think of a new word: Custo-friend: These are customers who have become friends. We have hundreds of them and the list grows every day. My family and I are so grateful that we have this opportunity to participate in Ramona’s community through our store.
Jesus said that your neighbor is anyone you treat as your neighbor; I must say it’s wonderful to have so many great neighbors. Through the broken glass we’ve discovered a great treasure, your friendship.
Thank you all for your help and concern this past week. We look forward to serving you for many more years to come.
Robert and Victoria Bradley Family
And the entire
Ramona Family
Naturals Staff