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Lakes, Lives & Lessons

By
Real Estate Agent with DFW FINE PROPERTIES 0506509

 

by Patricia Feager 7/3/2016

 

 

This is the starting point of where my life changed in 1987. It's where I began to see things from a different perspective. I walked the dock, swam in the lake, canoed, climbed Pleasant Mountain (broad and rugged), and began to stretch my imagination beyond comprehension. The experience ended in 1992 but the spirit and the lessons I learned at Moose Pond and Wyonegonic continues to live on.

 

Before any camper, visitor or staff went into the Lake, the owners required a swimming test; if you wanted to canoe, you had to pass a tipping test. If you passed, you got to enjoy the lake; if not, you had an opportunity to learn. Many people moaned, but those were the ones who couldn't swim. The lesson here is liability. When a person doesn't know how to swim they put everyone at risk. 

 

This summer, many people will be heading towards the lakes, swimming pools, oceans and ponds. Water is a contemplation, do I jump in or stand back and watch? Should I get my feet wet or sweat? As for children, they are like monkeys, "Monkey see; monkey do."

 

Summer is here and it's hot. How hot? Hot enough my air conditioning went out. Of course, Murphy's Law proved once again that if something is going to go wrong, it's not going to be pleasant. This is the Fourth of July weekend. Trying to get a serviceman out is possible, but it will cost you dearly -- or you can wait, sweat it out, think about what you could have done to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Obviously, I neglected to get my AC serviced before the season started.

 

The service technician and I connected. Rather than let him stand out in the heat alone, I stood there and watched. It took two days because parts weren't available (Murphy's Law strikes again), but he succeeded. We talked about a lot of things pertaining to the Air Conditioning, but suddenly, everything changed. Like many of my conversations, one word said by another causes me to think of something similar; then when I said something, he had something to say, and before you knew it, he told a tale, a true life event that changed his life forever. Suddenly, everything got cool. I didn't think about complaining about my situation. In the heat, sweat pouring down my body, I listened and learned. It was a chilling story.

 

The AC technician was originally from Florida. He was married and had 3 beautiful children. While his wife was at the pool with her children, her youngest one drowned. She never forgave herself. Their lives changed in an instant. Nothing was the same. Depression took over. The other children lost their sibling and their mother. She never recovered.

 

Why would I bring up this subject in a blog post beginning with such a beautiful photograph? It's to remind you, if you're reading this, that lakes, though beautiful, need to be respected. A lake, a pool, any body of water puts liability and risk on everyone, regardless of age. The owners of Wyonegonic in Denmark, Maine practice a tradition of making sure everyone who gets into the lake, can swim. 

 

How many parents make sure their children know how to swim? How many adults drink and cause boating accidents? How many people drown trying to save others? A lake is a beautiful body of water - people are too. Lets keep the lakes enjoyable for all. Any time, year round, is a great time to learn how to swim before going to a lake. And of course, the time to get your AC serviced is before summer!

 

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dfw fine properties

PATRICIA FEAGER, REALTOR®
DFW FINE PROPERTIES
3575 LONE STAR CIRCLE SUITE 315
FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76177

Email Me
                                  

                                     

MBA (University of Dallas)
BA
(Bachelors of Arts & Science)
Paralegal (Southeastern Career Institute)
Associates (3) (College of Lake County)
KU (University of Kansas)

CERTIFICATIONS

CRS (Certified Residential Specialist)
SRES (Certified Senior Residential Specialist)
PSA (Certified Pricing Strategies; Mastering the CMA)
CRS (Certified Military Relocation Specialist)
RENE (Real Estte Negotitions Expert)

"With self-discipline most anything is possible." --- Theodore Roosevelt 

 

 

 

  

Comments (20)

Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Beautiful picture and your words are spot on as always, such a perfect analogy my friend!  I hope that your holiday weekend is being enjoyed!

Jul 03, 2016 12:22 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Patricia,

What a chilling story with a beautiful picture...It makes so much sense to pass a swimming test.  A

Jul 03, 2016 12:39 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I agree with the others....you write so beautifully and this is a wonderful post too!

Jul 03, 2016 01:05 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Brian England - We live and learn. For some, lessons are harder. Thanks for your support on AR. I hope you have a very enjoyable holiday weekend too, my friend.

Jul 03, 2016 01:52 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Ron and Alexandra Seigel - It was a chilling story for me to hear too. Completely unexpected! But isn't that the point of hard lessons? I don't know why, but after hearing the AC technician's story, I couldn't stop thinking about it and what could have been done to prevent such a tragedy?

Sad, but true, many people, take a body of water lightly. We think of the fun but not the consequences of someone who can't swim. To be honest, I never went to any other pool or lake where a swimming test was expected before you could go into the lake, except Wyonegonic in Denmark, Maine. 

If I could spread the word before one more person drowns, it was worth my time and the price to pay for an unexpected AR repair.

Thank you Alexandra. Your support on AR, means the world to me.

Jul 03, 2016 01:58 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Awe! Thank you Kristin Johnston, Waukesha County Realtor 414-254-6647 - your positive feedback is so welcoming! I appreciate getting to know you a a result of AR and enjoy reading your posts from Wisconsin.

Thank you!

Jul 03, 2016 02:00 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

What a beautiful photo and yet, as you so poignantly point out, tragedy can lurk in the most beautiful of settings. 

Jul 03, 2016 02:08 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Susan Haughton - Thank you for understanding why it was so important for me to write this blog post. I started out today on AR wondering, what would I write about today? I began with a scene of something that meant so much to me but on an unconscious level, I couldn't get the AC technician's story out of my head. The two became intertwined and I just let the words flow like a river, a place where it needed to end but not be forgotten.

I am glad I got to meet you here on AR. You're one of those agents who understands how important family is and the value there is in protecting each other. 

Jul 03, 2016 02:17 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing your experience. This story is a good reminder for all of us. Let's take extra care around water.

You should opt for an annual service contract for your heating and air conditioning equipment.

Jul 03, 2016 03:17 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Patricia it is heartbreaking every time I hear that another child has drowned in a pool in the Phoenix area. It happened again the other day. There was a family gathering and somehow the little 4 year old got missed until it was too late.  Makes me so sad because it can indeed happen in an instant and change lives forever.  A few minutes is all it takes.......as we say constantly here...watch your kids around water. 

Jul 03, 2016 04:47 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Patricia,  That would be a challening thing to live with.  Water is to be respected as are all those who are enjoying it. We cannot take our eyes of little ones ... even those that know how to swim. Anything can happen in an instant. 

Jul 03, 2016 05:39 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

I almost drowned when I was 12 in a swimming pool. Have been scared of water every since. I swim a little, not much. Hope you are enjoying your air condition home.

Jul 03, 2016 08:17 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Congratulations!  You have been featured in Bananatude! 

 

Jul 03, 2016 08:19 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Patrica

It's so important to teach our kids at a young age to protect them.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jul 03, 2016 11:40 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Patricia you provide a warning which needs to be adhered to yet many lose their lives each year because they took a senseless risk.

Jul 03, 2016 12:43 PM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Patricia, this is a warning I hope everyone reads. Even when there is beauty there can be danger. Not knowing how to swim prior to entering the water is a risk that no one should ever take. Beautifully written post as always. 

Jul 04, 2016 12:01 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Happy July 4th Patricia, have a safe and happy Independence Day celebration.

Jul 04, 2016 12:52 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Patricia --- Murphy's Law avoided  you when it came to writing talent.  Nicely told.

Jul 06, 2016 04:25 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Paricia great advice and too bad you had to learn through such a tragedy... as the old saying goes sometimes the hardest lessons stay with us forever...Endre

Jul 07, 2016 03:10 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

That's a sad story about the drowning, but it happens all too often.  Too many sad stories lately! Stay safe and cool this summer.

Jul 09, 2016 07:44 AM