15 年前，当我创立 ChocoVivo 时，这是一个想法，一个想法，正如我喜欢说的，天真的想法。 9/11 事件发生后的某个时刻，我坐在床上思考，我现在才 20 多岁，我的人生在做什么？这就是我经过四年艰苦的常春藤盟校教育后所期待的吗？因此，我必须跟随正在形成的暗流，所以我继续了这次不寻常的冒险，寻找巧克力对我的意义。
本周，ChocoVivo 遭到入侵。到达时玻璃门碎了。五名警察在 ChocoVivo 面前告诉我“退后！他可能就在里面！”正如你们大多数人都认识我一样，我翻了个白眼，心想，我想光天化日之下没人在那儿，而你已经在这里呆了至少 20 分钟了。但我得到了协议以及最终的蜗牛回复和文书工作。相当多的东西被偷了。没有什么比从供应室偷一些回形针更值得忽视和超越的了。事后诸葛亮总是告诉你你应该这样做。
我检查了摄像机镜头好几次。他的动作诡异而有计划，而且看起来很舒服。在帮助“顾客”购买巧克力之前，我可能已经与他交谈过。
和许多人一样，我回顾过去的几个月，心情如坐过山车，存在主义问题，当然还有这一切的意义。我们，我，还有继续走下去的意愿吗？或者这是否意味着这是最后一个转折点，最终乘坐那辆货车沿着太平洋行驶，没有责任，没有时间，凝视着外面，退休到可可种植园，只是漫步和存在。像顾客一样。享受体验。无压力。因为，现在从破碎玻璃的另一面来看，企业看起来更环保、更漂亮。
有人告诉我，ChocoVivo 是一个有生命的东西。我生了这个。这是我的孩子。正如我的治疗师所说：“不要杀死孩子。有很多可能性。”我无奈地看着她，说：“我累了。”
我不明白为什么有人会闯入一家小女人、少数族裔开的巧克力店。我们不是链条。我们不是大企业。 （如果我们这样做的话可能会更容易，因为我们会有更好的保险单。）我们有一个使命。我们有联系。我们试图通过巧克力和历史背景来提供一些快乐，即巧克力不仅仅是一块 99 美分的糖果。
第二天，当我独自一人在店里时，我的脑海中浮现出感激之情。当我抗拒时，泪水涌出，但允许它落在我身上并完全接受它。屈服于这一生将要发生的事情的命运，但要完全存在并感激所有来到我身边让我发笑、激怒我、让我脸上挂着微笑并教给我一些东西的人。因为这只是我们将要生活的生活的一个维度，而且很快就会结束。虽然看起来像是永远。我脑海中轻柔地闪过的一句话是“臣服并感恩”。它会来。”诗篇 30:11-12 是我在俄克拉荷马州的基督徒青年时代的日子，当我们转过这个弯，收拾残局，度过未来不确定的时期时，我想起了诗篇 30:11-12：他再次将我的哀悼变成了舞蹈。他解除了我的悲伤。我不能保持沉默，我必须歌唱，因为他的喜乐已经来到。”
我分享所发生的事情，因为在过去的几个月里，我们的客户一直非常支持，我很感激。当我重新协商租金并制定下一步计划时，它使我们得以维持生计。像大多数人一样，我一直在坚持，也很享受缓慢的节奏。处于尴尬的境地，也被诸多情绪所扭曲。
我们将继续保持周四至周日的有限营业时间，直到情况发生变化。我们正在将重点转向创造家庭体验并通过我们的在线商店构建我们的内容。我们感谢您一直以来的支持和耐心。所以我们等到我能带第一批人去种植园，因为这就像一个充满好奇的孩子，没有限制，没有先入为主的观念，没有期望。我迫不及待地想再次走在土路上，看到五彩缤纷的可可豆荚，闻到清新蓝色的空气，听听老鹰和猴子的叫声，听树叶的沙沙声，看到地上的蠓虫为可可树授粉，感受潮湿的空气接触到脸部。在那之前，我们将继续听到垃圾箱进来收集垃圾，汽车驶过，捡起碎玻璃碎片，直到一件又一件，这是大自然和上帝教给我们的美丽画面
身体健康，安全。让眼泪流淌，继续支持您当地的事业。这样我们才能渡过这次难关。改变即将来临。传播消息。
蔡女士
ChocoVivo 所有者兼创始人
评论
Patricia I’m so sorry for that violation of your business! Thank you for your insightful, heartwarming response to it. It’s businesses like yours that make our community wonderful and interesting. If you do end up leading excursions on the cacao plantation I hope to be one of the first ones to sign up once we all make it to the other side of this pandemic. Take care. Thank you for your persistence during this difficult time.
much love to you!
arda & magnus
gravlax
Oh Patricia. I am so sorry to hear this happened. I am also inspired by your graceful, driving force and beautiful, inspiring words. I miss living near your ChocoVivo; it was my favorite shoppe in Mar Vista. One day, when I am back in town, I will come visit and buy the best chocolate in the world from you!
Sending you all the love from up here in Topanga Canyon and giving you a big virtual hug.
You’ve got this!
I am very sorry for your loss and violation. I am also glad you did not immediately hop in a van and wrote this post instead. Someone had a bad day and took it out on your shop. That makes me sad. I credit Wally Amos, but others have said it too, it is something you are going through, so you will get to the other side eventually. Maybe more tours, with colorful pods, will be in your future who knows? Fortunately I still have a bit of your chocolate in my freezer so I nibble a toast to you and wish you success in the next phase.
So very sorry to hear of this news. Your beautifully written “Broken” is so upsetting, and still so uplifting in your wonderful spirit to keep going. Know that your community and admirers are with you.
What beautiful sharing! Yes, we must have an attitude of gratitude. My favorite verse is Proverbs 3:4-5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding! In all ways, acknowledging Him and He will make your path straight. " Your story is just that! Thank you and look forward to ordering again.
Sorry to hear this has happened. I remember when I discovered you at the local farmer’s markets so many years ago—even driving as far as Malibu to pick up some bars. I count myself blessed to be able to experience your bean-to-bar approach that produces the most amazing chocolate. Whatever happens, thank you. Thanks for doing it all and making people happy. Should Chocovivo disappear, the world would be poorer for it.
This is truly heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and emotions during a time of both very global and very personal grief. I’ve only been to your shop in person once, but I was fortunate to meet you and appreciate the unique sense of beauty, community, and appreciation your shop cultivates. It’s hard to know what to do after something so hurtful occurs – but whatever you decide, it sounds like you will continue to spread love and connectedness. Thank you, and I sincerely hope you find long-lasting peace and joy wherever life takes you!
Hi Patricia. I’m so very sorry to hear about the theft. If you decide to have a Go Fund Me to assist with the damages, I’ll happily donate. You’ve built something special & Im grateful to be able to enjoy your labor of love!
Loved what you wrote, my eyes teared up with many emotions.“He’s turned my mourning into dancing again” so beautiful. Keep on truckin’ Patricia.
-Jon