GUEST BLOG:  Sales Consultant Laird Almy

AN ONGOING SERIES FEATURING THE FACES OF THE LEAKEY COLLECTION

These blades of colorful grass are very special to me.  I was introduced to them in a way that I will never forget.

There are a few friends that come into your life that you try to hold on to.  I am lucky to have one of those friends.  We met at age four growing up in Connecticut.  We shared our lives together in school, riding bikes to each other’s homes, enjoying beach time growing up on Long Island Sound, and the pleasures and the pains of high school together.  We went to college in opposite directions but always found a way to stay in touch by phone and shared our lives through all its ups and downs

A move took me to Atlanta after college, and our lives got hectic as we both married and started families. Sadly, our busy lives got the best of us, and we lost touch.  In a time of email and cell phones, it should be easier to stay close to friends, but somehow it often seems harder. My friend and I had not spoken in many months.

In the spring of 2006, my husband and I were vacationing in Florida for spring break with our seven year old twins. Although the area provides over 20 different beaches, we chose to spend the day at our favorite beach.  It was a longer drive but well worth it in our minds.  This specific stretch of beach is very remote. After parking, a trolley takes you out to the beach over a mile of bridges made of recycled milk cartons traveling over acres of mangrove trees.   It is a well-kept secret. When you come up over the dunes, the azure color of the Gulf of Mexico blinds you with its beauty.

We picked our spot and unpacked for our long lazy day at the beach.  As I sat looking at the beautiful scenery, a sweet young girl caught my eye walking down the beach, reminding me of my Connecticut friend and all the beach days we had shared together growing up. As I looked closer, I examined the family that walked with this young girl.  It was my friend and her family! They had flown to Florida for a vacation, and they had chosen the exact same beach, on the exact same day.  We laughed and hugged until we cried at the coincidence that had occurred.  She and her family set up for the day with us.  We walked, laughed and explored while our children played just as we did growing up at the beach.

This was the day I received my first strand of Zulugrass, Tangerine. It was removed from her wrist and placed on mine.  I still have that special Zulugrass today.  As we walked along the beautiful stretch of beach, she filled me on the new direction her life had taken working with The Leakey Collection. She told me about the beautiful Maasai, Katy and Philip, and the gift of opportunity.  It was a day I will never forget.

I fell in love with the story of the Maasai, The Leakey’s and the gift of opportunity.  Eventually, I was able to work for the company sharing the story myself and traveling with my friend to trade shows.  Zulugrass built our friendship back stronger than ever before. We hope to make a trip together to Kenya in the years ahead.

We always laugh about the “blades of grass” that brought us back together.  Every time I share the beautiful story of this colorful jewelry, I can’t help but think of the Maasai on the other side of our earth. Somehow, they don’t seem so far away from Georgia world.  I hope one day to meet them and to thank them in person. Every time I enjoy wearing Zulugrass, I am reminded of how the Maasai have given me a gift forever, a lasting friendship.

The Leakey Collection celebrates friendship in the same way Laird and her friend do!  In honor of that, we’re proud to offer Friendship Bracelets! Two IDENTICAL ZuluSport Bracelets (7″) are connected with a raffia tie on our special new hangtags. Friends should cut the raffia together, each make a wish, and show their commitment to friendship, as well as to women across the globe!

For a limited time only, we are offering Friendship Bracelets in 3 lovely colors online to you and your friend. Check out our selection at www.leakeycollection.com