In October of 1929, my grandfather was a successful and wealthy real estate agent in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was a gentleman with a stellar reputation and was well-loved by most who knew him. Having sold a parcel of land on a Friday for which he had received $2,000, he got a call from his banker telling him privately but urgently that he needed to come to the bank before closing that day and withdraw all of his funds because there were 'dark clouds on the horizon.'
After leaving his closing, he headed to the bank to withdraw from his accounts as his friend had suggested. Along the way he encountered someone who had had a flat tire on their car (a very common occurrence in the 20s and 30s), and he stopped to help get them back on the road. By the time he arrived at the bank, they had closed early for the day, never to reopen.
Luckier than most because he started the Great Depression with $2,000 in his pocket, my beloved grandfather lost over a million dollars that day because he was a gentleman who stopped to help a stranded motorist. (I just calculated that ~ that would equal $12 million today.) Remembering our lineage this Father's Day, I have always been proud of the man I called Papa.
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor
Oh, when I was a little girl I thought he was so dapper and so gorgeous. Very tall, very outgoing, very soft spoken. Thanks, Deb.
There are so many stories about his character. Thank you, Kathy.
Jun 19, 2011 07:48 AM
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor
thank you, Emily. If I want to make myself miserable some time, I will figure out how much a million dollars would be in today's market :)
Jun 19, 2011 08:15 AM
Imagine WOW! Digital Marketing Agency - Burbank, CA
Social Media Marketing, Coaching & Training
OMgosh Mimi...what a story! The great depression certainly took its toll on our loved ones didn't it?! However yours was far more lucky than some to have money in his pocket and the opportunity to rebuild.
Jun 19, 2011 08:54 AM
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
@TheBlessedRealtor - ABR, CRS
Oh Mimi ~ This is too much! I swear to you that I did not read your post until Brian just commented on mine and referenced yours... we must have been separated at birth! Read A Tribute To My Dad and you'll know what I'm talking about... just can't believe it! I penned this short story about my dad 10 years ago in a writing class and just added some finishing touches to it last night. Yours is a truly lovely story about your Papa and mine is endearing one of my Pops. We are lucky girls... and Kindred Spirits indeed! ;)
Jun 19, 2011 09:37 AM
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
eXp Realty - Boca Raton, FL
Real Estate Promises delivered in SE Florida
How lovely Mimi - a great account of huge character. I can imagine that you are probably pretty special yourself having followed in your Papa's footsteps as you recognized a beautiful thing that your grandfather did. Great story. Thanks for sharing
Jun 19, 2011 10:44 AM
Keller Williams Elite - Lititz, PA
Homes For Sale in Lancaster PA - 717.413.0744
Mimi, that is another story well told! That was one expensive flat tire. But your lineage has prepared you to serve your clients especially well.
Cal
Jun 19, 2011 01:07 PM
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor
Not many did, Rebekah. He was fortunate in that he owned a lot of land when the crash hit that kept them solvent.
That is too, too funny, KS. I'll go take a look as soon as I finish my comments. But of course it doesn't surprise me in the least :)
I certainly did, Mike. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks so much, Lynn. Certainly a larger-than-life character. My mother lives with us and he was her hero, so I hear about him often.
Good evening, Cal. Now that you say that, probably one of the most expensive tires in history, right? LOL I come from a long line of them. Hope you are well.
Jun 19, 2011 04:33 PM
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate
Yikes! A very expensive flat tire. I hope he did really well after that, sounds like he deserved it.
Jun 20, 2011 12:30 AM
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time
Mimi, OUCH! That flat tire did cost your grandfather a lot, especially in today's market!
Jun 20, 2011 01:49 AM
Weidel Realtors - Yardley, PA
Mimi: what a generous man and very dapper as well. Stopping by the road to help a stranger; hmmmm, chances are he might not have gotten much at the bank. Mimi, your stories are wonderful!
Jun 20, 2011 01:52 AM
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor
He did do well, Gabe. He was a great man. Thank you . . .
And it wasn't even his tire, Joan. The "what if's" of life.
Jun 20, 2011 01:54 AM
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor
Thank you so much, Anne! I really appreciate that. I'm finding that I am certainly enjoying being here.
Jun 20, 2011 01:59 AM
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor
Wisconsin Realtor Safety and Concealed Carry Classes - Madison, WI
Realtor Safety Training Classes
Holy Cow Mimi--most of our rich people today do not care or help people-he was definitely one of the good guys
Jun 20, 2011 09:09 PM
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor
Anonymous
Wonderful story, Mimi. I remember "Papa" and he was quite a man. My stomach still puckers a little when I recall the look he gave me after he walked in on me kissing your sister in the hallway between the kitchen and breezeway at their house on Second Avenue! Fortunately, I was still able to marry into your family --"even though I was a Yankee." :-)
Jun 21, 2011 03:31 AM
#37
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor
Oh, Vern, THAT's probably what sent him to an early grave :) From the stories I heard, the kissin' was probably okay. Still surprised they let her marry a Yankee. Which reminds me of another funny story. I'll send you a copy when it's done :) (and you may be a Yankee, but you are a damn fine one :) )
Jun 21, 2011 03:36 AM
Crescent Moon Realty, Inc. & Land N Sea Auctions. - San Marcos, CA
Certified Negotiation Consultants
I do not believe an act of kindness goes unrewarded. It goes without saying that your Papa was a special person.
Jun 21, 2011 04:25 AM
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor
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Mimi Foster has been voted one of Colorado Springs' Best Realtors five years in a row. She sells homes throughout the Pikes Peak Region with a passion for Victorian homes in Downtown Colorado Springs. Fifth generation Realtor, mother of five daughters, five grands, and cherished wife, Mimi has over two decades of professional experience helping clients buy and sell their personal residence, military relocation, investment properties, and rehabbing fix and flips in the Colorado Springs area.
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