"Creating Legacy" Monday's Warm Cocoa 9.16.2026

“My mother suggested that I make a wise decision.” 

– Alex Franco

Creating Legacy

Alex was standing in front of his business, El Trompo Loco, at the Boardwalk Food Truck Court. It’s a place known for its wide variety of international cuisines and family-friendly atmosphere, while winning the "Best of NWA Food Truck Park" Gold Award for three years running. Alex and his family are a big part of that success since their arrival three years ago. Yet, it’s a streak that may not have begun at all, had Alex made one decision differently.

“I was about to graduate from high school and didn’t have a clue what I was going to do with my life,” he explained.

Alex’s mother Lizette, however, had been quietly saving money on her son’s behalf for many years. It was her hope that the money would open a pathway toward success for Alex. So, just before his graduation Lizette surprised him by telling him of her hopeful gift.

“I couldn’t believe it!” Alex said, as his eyes brightened with a little merriment. “The first thing that came to my mind was to go out and purchase a new Chevy Camaro! I told my mom about my plan and she patiently offered me life changing advice.”

Lizette told her son, in a very loving way, of her hopes that he would use the money to create opportunity, to make his future bright and promising. Her guidance flipped a switch in Alex’s heart and mind.

“I started thinking about what I could do,” Alex said. “I thought of everything I knew how and liked to do and said to myself. I can cook using my mother’s recipes!”

That’s when Alex began searching for a food truck fitting his budget. After an extensive search he found one, purchased it and brought it home. His mother and father stayed supportive as all three cleaned-up the truck, rebranded it and began offering delicious food to their neighbors.

“It was a little difficult at first, but I found myself wanting to get up early to plan and then cook well into the night. I loved it. That all led my family and me to look for the right location.”

Yet, they found more than location. They found a community of help. The Arkansas Food Innovation Center accepted them in to their business development program where they learned a lot about business and product development. Now they’re an award-winning business with big plans to expand into salsa distribution in local grocery stores.

“We’re working to open four more food trucks now,” Lizette said before describing the family legacy she envisions. “One day we’ll add a brick and mortar restaurant to go along with our bottled salsas and marinades!”

And tomorrow? That legacy will be receiving a strong endorsement when the entire track team from Iowa State University arrives on their bus for their reservation to dine at El Trompo Loco for dinner after a big competition.

_______________________________________________

I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xZQuYPScTjjNNeNY96xXOVc4azkWay8v/view?usp=sharing

"Let the Present In" Monday's Warm Cocoa 2.9.2026

"Maybe it isn’t about forgetting the past.” – One friend to another

Let the Present In

The two friends had just patched things up after their very public argument. Both of them could be characterized as men, but they were both really just on the cusp of being so, since they still lacked seasoning; the process of acquiring maturity, wisdom, and competence through wide-ranging life experience, and time.

“I know I get caught up in being afraid,” Mica explained to his friend, a few days after their argument, while sitting on his porch. “When that happens, I seem to automatically wreak some chaos. I guess thanks how I distract myself from fear.” 

Garr sat listening carefully as Mica explained himself, while recognizing the opening for his own apology.

“I’m sorry too,” he said sincerely. “I seem to always be living in the past, no matter how hard I try to forget it!”

The two of them were more alike than they had ever suspected! They were realizing, for the very first time, that they were facing a common antagonist. A painful past. Both of the young men had lost their core families at a young age. 

Mica’s loss of his mother came when he was about eleven years old. Since then he had faced a life of survival. He was on his own and had a hard time forming friendships. He trusted no one!

Garr trusted no one either. He was the “black sheep” of his family, different than all of them; a fact emphasized by the memorable sight of his father becoming so angry with him that he got in his vehicle and flew away. Garr could only stand and watch as he was left standing alone in an unfamiliar and mostly strange part of the planet. He was about sixteen when that happened. It was a past that shaped his isolated view of the world every single day.

“Perhaps,” Garr said as he looked at his only and newly trusted friend. “Maybe it isn’t about forgetting the past. Perhaps the trick is not to forget the past, but to remember it.”

Mica sat there with surprise racing across his face as he heard Garr say that. After all, they had just discovered that they were both trapped in their past, trauma. But, their unfamiliar, shared moment of trust allowed him to hold his tongue and wait for Garr to finish.

“Perhaps the trick is not to forget the past, but to remember it, while allowing the present in.”

That’s when both friends sat there, quietly together, allowing their trust of each other to settle in. To become comfortable, like a well-worn, soft pair of jeans. Letting the present in.

_______________________________________________

I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xZQuYPScTjjNNeNY96xXOVc4azkWay8v/view?usp=sharing

"Common Ground" Monday's Warm Cocoa 2.2.2026

"What began in confrontation ended with in a brotherly embrace.” - Daniel Swede

Common Ground

In the end, the two men embraced as their differences had been transformed into commonality. But their encounter did not begin on such friendly ground.

Daniel was looking forward to gathering with associates and friends last Thursday. The get-together had been planned to occur a couple of days earlier, but had been pushed-out as a result of the unusually icy, cold weather.

“I think we all were suffering from a little cabin fever,” Daniel said, just before walking into the designated ‘watering hole.’”

There was a sparkle in his eye as he pulled the door open, seeing friends he hadn’t seen for a few weeks. His confidence was overflowing as he spotted Grace and her soft gray eyes. Those eyes were her “tell.” They told everyone she happened upon how kind she was. The evening was beginning just as he had hoped.

That same hope blossomed as he glanced across the room to see other friends sitting at a long, rectangular table. So, he skipped (well, sort of for a man of his age) over to the table to greet them warmly, conversing as he sat with them.

“What do you think of the news?” Eric asked.

“I was with friends,” Daniel said. “So, I didn’t worry about my answer to that seemingly harmless question. I have to tell you I was taken aback by Eric’s vehement reaction to my answer. I had never seen him so hostile.”

Eric’s response was instant. “How could anyone be stupid enough to think that!”

Eric raged in Daniel’s face for a time. So much so that Daniel’s pleasant hopes for his much anticipated, warm cordial evening with friends seemed to be dashed. And, to his credit, he sat patiently, calmly, listening to Eric.

Everyone else at the table tuned out because of the singularly, heated exchange. Their body language ensued separation from the onslaught. Daniel, partly due to his being the one assailed, stayed both absorbed and shielded.

He was absorbing the information coming rapidly at him while searching for commonality. He had been in such confrontations before and felt confident that his listening skills would guide him forward toward a positive outcome for everyone.

“I knew a little bit about Eric and could tell he was passionate about being good to other people. After all, I knew he had served in special forces, because he wanted to protect others. That knowledge was confirmed quite quickly as I listened to what he was saying. So, I began agreeing with his, our common, caring nature. That allowed Eric to recognize the common ground we were standing on!”

As a result, the evening quickly got back on track and the whole table of people were once again actively engaged in friendly, enlivened camaraderie.

“What began in confrontation ended with in a brotherly embrace,” Daniel said gratefully.

_______________________________________________

I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qmK_Rav__c636P6Vix0K8pYya7sqP0mi/view?usp=sharing