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~ What Lies Behind Us And What Lies Before Us Are Tiny Matters Compared To What Lies Within Us ~

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning

That train of thought by Ralph Waldo Emerson stared me in the face today while at a clients home.  I rarely go out on carpet and air duct cleaning jobs with the tech, but today I did. My presence is not usually needed out in the field, but today was a bit different.  The client could barely speak as it appeared he had a stroke, so we all had to put our heads together on this one. I went to the address thinking perhaps a care giver would be present.

We ring the doorbell and an older gentleman opens the door and motions us into the main living rooms. He has a modest but charming home with books everywhere, and I mean everywhere.  Once inside the living and dining rooms, I lay my eyes on some of the most beautiful antique and semi-antique Oriental Rugs I have seen outside of Sothebys and markets in Turkey, Iran or Switzerland. I used to be an Oriental rug collector. I stopped, because for me, it was as addictive, as strong as, if you were to put a "d" in front of the word "rug".  Our job was to clean his antique Oriental rugs, but he didn't want us to take them with us, we were to do it there, but in the old world way, by hand, with a brush. I said "yes" with immediate enthusiasm and immediately received a slight jab below my rib cage from you know who. They were so beautiful, just exquisite. It was like hanging around in the old neighborhood. The one I usually avoid at all costs, because I know how relapses happen.  So, yes it is true.  I was intoxicated by the rugs. High on everything they offered to me, just like in the old days.

So several hours later, we gave him the final invoice and recived a check for $300.00 more than the total due. His handwriting was shaky, but there was a note along with the check that read - "When You Were Cleaning My Rugs I Saw Inside You"  As we left he kissed my hand...at that point, I would have gladly done it for free.

 

Note By Client

 Michelle Viggiano Scottsdale & Phoenix Green Plant Based Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning www.healthyhomeaz.com

Jim Valentine
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Gardnerville, NV

Such a passionate and spiritual experience means more than money in life.  Sounds like the wise old man had a lot more to offer.  He knew what he wanted, and you knew he deserved it.  What a match.  He's lucky he called you.  Thanks for the shared experience and the mindset.

Jul 07, 2009 01:44 AM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

Hi Carolyn, I had to stop with those three, in case I had a relapse...Actually, I buy antique Oriental rugs at auctions for my clients frequently when the spirit of the project calls for it. Your right, the intangible moments are usually the most amazing. 

Jul 07, 2009 03:03 AM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

Hi Mary, nice to see you. Hope your land is drying out from the flood and you are walking and being the wonderful steward that you are. An unexpected treasure came from going out on a call. Of course the joke in the van after the job were variations on the following - from my enlightened colleague - "Meeting your soul-mate may require getting down on your hands and knees with a brush..."  to "Want to meet you soul-mate - go out on a service call"  It didn't stop...but it was a great day.

Jul 07, 2009 03:15 AM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

Jim, all kidding aside, it was one of the most wonderful days I have had. Priceless.

Jul 07, 2009 03:17 AM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate

For lack of a better word, what a cool story.  Fortunately for me, the only current tug of addiction lies near the bottom of a perfectly brewed cup of caffeinated tar.  Of course, with what they charge for a decent cup of joe these days, it may someday supplant yours as the more cost prohibitive indulgence ;)

Jul 07, 2009 06:42 AM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

Paul, I prefer not to count that beverage in or near the addiction zone, because I am clearly hooked and have no intention of dealing with it. I have a friend who is a physician and she always tells me how bad it is, and I have to counter and tell her, not as bad as that botox your injecting into all those cosmetic junkies...one for us coffee drinkers.

Jul 07, 2009 05:11 PM
Chris Fisher
Your Virtual Assistant - Concord, CA

Michelle, what a beautiful story.  I'm so glad you went out on that call, you obviously touched that gentleman's heart.

Jul 08, 2009 06:16 AM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

Hi Chris, as he touched mine. Great to see you.

Jul 08, 2009 04:09 PM
John Secor
EXIT Real Estate Results - Winter Springs, FL

Michelle - way awesome!  You never know who's on the other end of the phone, you skillfully and passionately gave the guy exactly what he needed.  The mini dress and low cut top may have also been a factor (I'm kidding!)

Jul 09, 2009 04:07 AM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

Very funny John. Of course it didn't go down like that, but very amusing. just the same. 

Jul 09, 2009 05:15 AM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate

I'm so glad janeAnne pointed me in your direction.  I am going to subcribe so that I can enjoy all of your posts.  You write beautifully and from the heart which I'm sure is what the gentleman sensed as well.  I wish you were closer to NC, I would love to meet you.

Jul 12, 2009 12:12 AM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

Diana, what a lovely comment, you have made my day.  I am honored that you would subscribe.  I love North Carolina around Charlotsville and also around Pinehurst. I spent a month there several years ago and fell in love with your state. Sometimes, when I can't tolerate the heat here, I consider moving there, honestly. It's a pleaure meeting you!

Jul 12, 2009 08:07 AM
Linda Bourgault
lulugraphix-creative photography & fine art - Flower Mound, TX

Hello Michelle—How fortunate for you to have met a kindred spirit. I have complete comprehension of d/rugs and their affect upon me. Pottery, baskets and natural fibers (and rocks too... shhhh) call to me from great distances, capture my heart and eventually space, as once acquired I cannot let them go.

I believe the jury is still out concerning the effects of coffee. I have read copious amounts of information concerning the positive health benefits of coffee, thus I am unlikely to relinquish it from my daily habits.

I hope you are having a wonderful week... and wish you more treasured moments with like-minded spirits.

Jul 15, 2009 01:24 PM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

Hi Linda, nice to see you.  Do you mean minerals/rocks? Love them. Have old Chinese blue and white and also Imari chargers filled with minerals in a few rooms. I try to always go to the Tucson Gem Show, there are a few of my favorite dealers who show there, but I have been curbing that as the prices are really getting high. I have found that at the Natural History Museums if you get friendly with the staff there, they always have something good to sell or trade. Really, Linda, I don't know how I used to have so much time for all these things.  Now, I can't find a moment for treats of this nature...

Jul 15, 2009 04:53 PM
Sally Dunbar
Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area) - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale

Michelle - the other lesson here is to not judge a book by it's cover.  We frequently pass off old and shaky as worthless.  But ahh... the wise eyes that were upon you.  A moment to capture... and you did it so well for us.

Jul 27, 2009 02:44 AM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

You are so right Sally, about not judging a book by it's cover. Old and Shaky, Tattered and Poor, Unfashionable and Plain, Halting English and Menial Labor...Just all externals that do not address the human jewel inside the package. On the other end of the spectrum, Couture and Fancy, Suited and Brief Cased, Tailored and High Necked, Uniformed and Badged, are no guaranty of what's lurking beneath that facade either.... 

Jul 27, 2009 04:08 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Your story is a great example of why I wish Americans would spend more time with the elderly members of their families. There is so much "inside of them," but we shuttle them off to a nursing home to be with their own kind because we don't have time for them. I truly hope that the global economy will help us learn from some of the other cultures that respect their elderly citizens.

Jul 27, 2009 09:14 PM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

So true Russel. So true. It is a sad legacy here in our culture that the old are rather discarded. A pity and a distasteful waste of humanity - our own.

Jul 28, 2009 03:56 PM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Michelle~ Those kind of experiences with others is absolutely priceless!  It seems as though that elderly man knows a real jewel when he sees one!  If only more of our encounters with others were like that!

Aug 06, 2009 05:45 PM
Michelle Viggiano
Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ
healthyhomeaz

Hi Vckie, it's nice to meet you.  Yes, it's a pity such encounters are truly a rarity. Or are they? We are all in such a hurry, on both ends of the equation, we rarely ever actually see the other person beyond the externals...perhaps if we slowed down to decipher what's beyond the surface a bit more, it would happen much more frequently.

Aug 07, 2009 07:30 AM