Listen to Betty Share About Her Life and What She Has Learned
I knew I would like Betty from the second she answered my phone call.
I was making reservations at the Banana Bay Motel--an adorable, mom-n-pop stay on Charlotte Harbor--and I sensed immediately the person on the other end of the line had a genuine, fun-loving, and open spirit.
When I checked in and met Betty face-to-face, she confirmed my intuition.
She grew up in Baltimore, worked as a mixologist and hairdresser, and lived in North Carolina before settling in Port Charlotte almost five years ago.
Betty has been the motel's manager about four years. She has a daughter and granddaughter. She loves people and people love her.
We talked for 45 minutes. Memphis, the resident motel cat, joined us at some point. Betty told me her story--where she grew up; taking the state boards to become a hairdresser; when she moved to Florida; what she likes most about her job.
She pulled out a folder full of thank you cards and "fan mail" that visitors have written her after their stays. I asked her to read one of the cards.
Betty told me what she believes. What she knows is true. What she has learned.
She said, "I feel sometimes like Memphis, you now. I've got nine lives. Keep on going."
(Listen above to excerpts from our interview.)
We were separated by the front desk the entire time we talked. When we finished, I asked Betty if I could give her a hug.
"Of course!" she said and walked around the desk.
She held the embrace.
"You can feel people out," she said to me. "Like a doctor or something. At first, I was getting a little embarrassed. Now I feel like I've known you for so long. It's great."
It was great.
Thank you for sharing your self, Betty.
(above: Memphis the cat and scenes from the Banana Bay Motel)
