In the winter of 1991, our small family of four moved from Germany back to the United States with an assignment to Fort Bliss, Texas. As Christmas approached, we were financially tight and without our household goods—including the Christmas tree and decorations.
My wife at the time, Neryda, firmly decided our two oldest boys (then 5 and 3) were not going to miss out on Christmas.
Against the dark paneling of the apartment dining room, she made a Christmas tree from construction paper taped on the wall.
She had learned to make Swedish tea rings, a large, sweet cinnamon roll in the shape of a wreath. Neryda went door to door carrying a sample and selling pre-orders of the rings. Then, without a mixer or other aid, she fashioned dozens of the Swedish tea rings and delivered them. Her earnings provided gifts for the boys and a family trip to the movies.
I remember all the kneading of the dough pulling the moisture from her hands, leaving her fingers bleeding. Making so many also caused muscle soreness in her arms and hands.
Other blessings arrived, unexpected income, ham and holiday groceries from the Army family services, and more. People were generous, and we felt blessed. However, for me, that wonderful Christmas has always been about the effort Neryda put in.
She had a vision. She determined the problem and found viable solutions. She then executed with exceptional hard work in both the selling and the fabrication of the desserts to make the solution successful.
Neryda demonstrated a clear model of success for all of us, beyond a sweet Christmas story. We start with a vision. We determine the route to the vision. We execute, regardless of obstacles. We celebrate the success. It is the basic formula told forever. It still works.