I first wrote this post for Father's Day in 2008. Five years later I am still learning from my dad every day and I am so blessed to have him with me when I need advice, guidance or just some fatherly support. Happy Father's Day to my Dad, and all the fathers out there!
My dad taught me a lot about life and a lot about Real Estate. He taught me many life lessons... to play fairly, get along with others, treat others as you would wish to be treated, don't ever compromise your ethics or integrity, don't be afraid of hard work, and perhaps most importantly, that life is not always fair.
Many of these lessons apply to my Real Estate career. Dad has been a REALTOR® for 30 years in South Florida, as an agent, a broker, first in Coral Springs and more recently in the Boca Raton and Delray Beach areas. You may not have known it, but I am a 3rd generation REALTOR®. Both of my parents and my grandfather were all at some point in their careers a REALTOR®, but it is my dad for whom it was a primary career.
My dad has a passion for real estate. To this day I still remember his response when I told him I was going to get my Real Estate license. He said "Are you nuts? Didn't you learn anything from growing up and watching me work?" He really was joking, and if you ask him he will grudgingly admit that he likes having a son he can talk business with (since my past careers in Logistics, Management Consulting and Marketing left him always interested but often unable to relate). Through the life lessons that he taught me, as well as by giving his advice (whether or not I ask for it), my dad guides me in my career just as he guided me by running along behind me and holding on when I learned to ride my first bicycle.
I'm fortunate to have him. He teaches me even today and is never out of my mind. Over 10 years ago my dad was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. I would say he suffers from it, but that would be inaccurate... he has symptoms, they make his life frightening and difficult at times, but he rallies against it. He has taught me what it means to be brave, what it means to not accept defeat and what it means to be a survivor. And at 70 years old he is still sharp, vital, active and continues to close Real Estate transactions! My dad makes me very proud to be his son and while he will be the first to tell you that I have not always been who he wished me to be or acted as he would have like me to act, as both a child and adult, I know that he is proud of me too!
HAPPY FATHERS DAY... to my Dad and to you and yours!
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