When life gives you lemons

In a challenging world, I’m happy we still have lemonade stands and enterprising young people who run them.

Our neighbors hosted just such a stand this past Saturday — complete with two kinds of lemonade, homemade brownies and cookies.

They employed all sorts of impressive marketing tactics. In a tactic reminiscent of the Burma Shave signs that predated both them and their parents (possible their grandparents, too), they chalked up the sidewalks around their stand.

They also made hand-lettered signs that acted as both a menu and a billboard, and they drew in a brisk business from park-goers, people passing by and participants in the Erb Park swim meet.

I especially loved how the five siblings — Addy, Ellis, June, Esme and Harlan — all worked together.

Harlan exercised his considerable charm and sturdy lungs like a carnival barker, calling out “Buy some lemonade! Brownies! Cookies!”

I’d have bought their product even if those salespeople weren’t so cute. That pink lemonade was some of the finest I’ve ever had.

Life tosses lemons our way sometimes, and storms we never expected.

But, it’s also full of goodness and the kind of sweet enterprise that warms your heart on a sunny summer day.