I'm exhausted. I've been at the hospital for about 10 hours with my family. My Mother-in-law had a "procedure" done today that lasted about 5 hours and it involved an aneurysm, coils, a neurosurgeon and hospital food. Most of it's a blur. I feel like I've been hit by a truck. Today has been an emotional roller coaster. First the butterflies, then the waiting, then some information from the surgeon, then some more waiting, then finally, getting to see her awake with her eyes open.  There's some sense of relief, we just have to wait to see if some of the paralysis and vision loss are temporary or permanent. I was in awe watching how calm and cool the nurses were on the neuro unit. My Mother In Law's nurse was calm, smiled and even managed to make us laugh. What a pro.

When my husband and I got home, I told him I wanted to try to write a post tonight.  I had no idea what in the world I would write about.  He just shook his head and stumbled off to bed (he acknowledges my blogging sickness and knows I'll sleep better after posting).  Then, it hit me.

The emotional roller coaster, the waiting on pins and needles for information, and the feeling of wanting all of it to be "settled"; just tell me it's over.Does this sound familiar to you? It should.  This is exactly parallel to the home buying process.  It's dizzying.

I wonder, am I the calm confident smiling REALTOR who manages to put my clients at ease, maybe even make them laugh during the home buying process?  Do I present information in a professional, timely, non-emotional way? Do I reassure my clients through my professional, organized demeanor?

Nurses are one of the hardest working bunch out there, next to REALTORs, of course. When you're in a position like my family was these last few days, you can instantly spot the great ones. You can also instantly spot the angry, bitter, been-in-the-profession-too-long ones. Nurses truly define the very nature of the hospital stay for the patient.

REALTORS truly define the real estate experience for their clients. This is why each one of us must be held to such a high standard. Nothing less than ethical, empathic, compassionate, professional, competent, reach for the bar excellence will do.

After-all, this is the bare minimum I'll accept for my Mother-in-law.