Rick Williams

A while back, I was asked to build a good-sized sign in a busy commercial area of our fair town. It was basically a mini-billboard, done in feminine colors for a women’s boutique that specializes in products for women cancer patients, specifically breast cancer.

It is a shame that there are enough local women who are currently battling breast cancer, or are breast cancer survivors in a city the size of Longview, to keep a specialty shop like that one in business. But, not only are they in business, they have two other locations in northeast Texas. This one certainly needed a new sign, though it would be my guess that a lot of their clients hear about them by simple word of mouth and referral.

The lady who owned the place was the wife of a good customer of ours, and knew us from the work we had done for her husband’s company. We had met before, and when she called I told her that I would come over early the next morning to look over the situation.

I guess early morning was a quiet time around there, because when I walked inside there was no one up front but me, not even the owner herself. But, there was a door that entered into their small warehouse, and I moved in that direction until something on display in the corner of the room distracted me.

The place was full of wigs, pajamas and lingerie, but the item that caught my eye was an object displayed on a purple satin pillow, sitting on a stand all by itself. What it really was, was a piece of art. This single silicone form, the shape of a woman’s breast, was slightly over average size, and at least from where I stood it seemed startlingly realistic.

I forgot my client and stepped in the direction of that display until I stood there looking down at this unique item, and amazed and impressed by the artistry and truly incredible detail, even the skin color and details including tiny veins and pores, and it’s finish and texture as best I could tell. I couldn’t help wondering, did this object feel as lifelike as it looked?

Only one way to tell, and after glancing over my shoulder, I quickly extended my hand and touched it very lightly, and the answer was an emphatic “yes.” Impressed and puzzled, I pressed my index finger just a little more and…the object of my fascination slipped off that satin pillow so fast I had no chance to catch it, and this amazing work of gifted hands landed “flop” at my feet.

Oh, no! My heart skipped a beat, and as fast as I could I reached down, picked the item up and set it back in place. And instantly it slipped off that confounded satin pillow and once more it landed on the floor. 

I grabbed it again, this time with both hands, set it ever so gently back in place, and felt like I had just violated someone in some way. At that very moment, the person I had violated, the shop’s owner, came walking in from the warehouse and caught me there, embarrassed and guilty, and wondering what type of reprimand was coming my way.

Her expression was serious, and her words were more an accusation than a question, “You just had to touch it, didn’t you?”

I said nothing, but nodded guiltily. Suddenly, her expression changed, and she laughed out loud and said, “I never saw a man who could resist! They just have to know if it feels as real as it looks.” Only then did I start breathing again, and we both laughed as she checked its placement on that Teflon pillow.

It isn’t every day this signmaker gets caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar, or holding a silicone wonder, and that wasn’t an experience I’ll soon forget. But, the real message is this life-altering battle, which takes place every day for thousands of unfortunate women, and goes on unrelenting, and is always serious.

So, all of us men, who appreciate our women and their amazing complexity, need to be generous when we have a good opportunity to donate to the fight against breast cancer, and cancer in general. My wife is a seven year survivor, but my Aunt Margie and Aunt Alice lost their battles.  So, there’s certainly a lot more work to be done, and it’s not all signwork.

I hope your family, and your sign business are doing well, and all your clients have a fine sense of humor.  Have a great month.