Perhaps
a bit harsh title,
but Friday I was going to write a blog that we could still sell and
close a home within 5 days. But at the closing table I got
some horrible news that made the 5 day closing meaningless.
My client did not show up on time for closing, so I called to find out
what was the delay. My client said "Are we closing today?"
A bit of an odd reply as we had talked earlier and my closing
manager had set up the closing time, gave directions and gone over the
HUD. Though puzzled, I did not bat an eye, and told her that
I was at the closing office, but to come by at her earliest
convenience. She said she would be there in about 15 minutes
and greatly apologized.
She shows up and has this stunned look on her face. I asked her if she was OK,
and she said "No". She
said that her neighbors' 5 year old had just passed away from the H1N1
virus. She was the child's Godmother.
So now I was going to close on a deal? Perhaps the most
awkward, heart wrenching closing I have ever been to in 28 years.
Closing went fine and she flew out of the room and apologized
for leaving so fast. What do you say?
Congratulations? I am so sorry? I was so
shocked as the title rep's children and husband also had the same
virus this week, so I had to not say anything until after the closing.
I just sat there for about 5 minutes thinking this was going to be a
cool moment that I was able to get a contract on Monday and close it on
Friday. But instead, I could not give a crap.
Moreover I won't even go into the details of how we were able
to pull it off as it is totally meaningless to this post.
Sometimes in life we get a moment where we get a big kick in
the face as to what life is all about. It
was a very long drive back home.....as I could not go back to the
office.
I
am writing a post about a closing and my and my client's neighbors are
getting ready to bury their 5 year old child tomorrow.
No jokes ever about this horrible flu as this may hit very
close to you. This child was sick on Sunday, and the flu
symptoms would not go away; so they took the child to the doctor.
H1N1 confirmed and the child was to be taken to the hospital
overnight. The child was suffering from nothing else.
Just a flu....a very bad flu. A very sad and
horrible ending. It's not fair.
Please make sure that everyone you know gets the H1N1 vaccine this
coming month(s).
6 Comments on 5 Day Closing: Who really gives a CRAP! (An H1N1 Story)
OCT
11
2009
sadly, it is this type of thing that reminds us of what really is important....(but we do still have to work, make money and pay the rent, or we would be homeless - wouldn't we??
So sorry. Sometimes life is just hard. However, although it puts the significance of the 5 day closing into perspective, it doesn't devalue the fact that a 5 day closing is truly remarkable at any time, but particularly right now. It's something to be proud of, and something that I would love to hear about when you feel up to sharing.
Hello Tim...
I read the story about your client's god child on an Austin news web site... My heart sank as I knew it was the child you had written about. Gosh, Tim...we all get so wrapped up in going after that brass ring thinking that is the be all and end all... Then, when a child's life...or anyone's life is snuffed out too early, it stops us dead in our tracks and suddenly all that seemed importand fades away and what's real and right and true is left there starring at us. It is so sad that your friend's are burying their five year old daughter and my heart goes out to them from one parent to another. I can't even imagine... I am grateful, however, for those moments in time that get us back to our true north and the things that count in life.
Thanks for sharing your heart...even though it was painful. I will be praying for them and for you as you minister to them in the upcoming days...
Hi Tim... Sadly, it seems like this is the sort of thing that has to happen in order to put things into their proper perspective for many people. What a wake up call for all of us! This is awful... just awful!
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;)
;)
sadly, it is this type of thing that reminds us of what really is important....(but we do still have to work, make money and pay the rent, or we would be homeless - wouldn't we??