You can click here to read part 1

Here is PART 2 of this crazy story!

So, I have to preface this again with how much of a rock star I think Kristine is. How much I look up to her.  I have been watching and learning from her for years. Is it possible maybe she was watching me too?

Ever since my first convention in 2008, I have really tried to never miss a CTMH event and there were many offered that I have attended over the last 5 years. Which is when she came to CTMH (I believe).
Let me also say this, I have never earned a cruise, been top sales or anything fancy like that! So, this was very overwhelming! I was certainly not worthy of this!
Okay, at Regionals I was recognized as a Top Team Builder (based on those who attended).

Anyway, when I saw Kristine in the hall, walking as I left the creative session, I knew I had to say something, but I was tongue tied.
I hugged her, and then! I find out later she’s not a huge fan of hugs LOL!

So, I don’t know what I said.  She said, I told you, you would know it when you saw it! I was gushing I am sure.  She said she always loved my name and how unique and different it was. I honestly can’t remember what else she said..But she did tell me that Sarita in Hebrew means princess and I could tell that really meant something to her.  She jokingly bowed down to me as she started walking away.

Talk about being overwhelmed. I wanted to cry like a little baby then and there too.  But as usual I decided to laugh instead.  I decided to have some fun with it.  So, I was by the “Sarita Collection” in the display case and Carly Roberts, our amazing art director was there and I was joking and she was like Oh you’re Sarita, I’ve heard tale of a Sarita but now I know who you are.  How funny is that?

I want to cry right now writing this and I am not entirely certain where those emotions are coming from.

Maybe it was memories of growing up with a weird name that no one could pronounce. Sarita Polivka, forget it. Substitute teachers would read the roster and there would be a big pause when they came to my name.

Maybe it was pride that my Mom didn’t tell anyone that if she had a girl she would name her Sarita after the girl who babysat my older brothers. Who happened to come from a family with 6 girls all with “S” names.

Maybe it was thinking of my Grandpa who we lost way too soon, looking down from heaven and laughing at how he used to call me Sara (he didn’t like the name Sarita) and I would cry. Then it became a big joke between him and I. I’d give anything to hear him call me Sara right now.

Maybe it was from being bullied for just being different. My name didn’t help that either.

Maybe it was because when I was learning to read, I thought every present under the tree was for me, because they all said “Santa” which looked very much like “Sarita”.

Maybe it was from remembering how it felt to see my friends, Kim and Kelly with personalized license plates on their bikes.

Maybe it was from the joyful feeling I had when I was a child and my Mom had ordered special leather barrettes with my name on them.  FINALLY!!

Maybe it was the numerous people who would hear my name and having not met me, assumed I was ethnic. Mostly the question was “Is she black?” HA! the furthest thing. Blonde hair, blue eyes and mostly Polish actually.

Or maybe I was just so grateful my parents didn’t name me NORTH!

I am sure it is a combination of all of this! When you grow up with a very different name, you know when someone is talking to you or about you.  NOW, to see my name and hear my name is something I have to get used to.
The next day at Extravaganza, I had to take this picture for sure.  Each presenter had used a different paper pack to present many different types of artwork. So, I was so excited to see my name and my friend, Amy was the presenter.  Which means she also meant she knew and kept it a secret.

I was working the booth with my other friend Amy, which was a blast, so I didn’t get to take pictures of the artwork. But, we had fun passing out free stuff!!
     

“Life is short. You can’t afford to put off what God has put in your heart. You don’t have time to live with things holding you back.”