Today I had to meet an appraiser at a client's home for an appraisal outside of Westminster, South Carolina. He turned out to be quite late. I was early on purpose. When I got there, our client came out. She is an 82 year old African American woman who loves to talk about her life both past and present. I can sit with her for hours just asking questions and listening to the stories.
I was looking forward to sitting and visiting with Miss L. while the appraiser was doing his thing. She always has great stories. Today we just sat in the rockers outside on her front porch as we waited for the appraiser to come. As time passed, Miss L. began to tell me about how she was the first black person to ever move into that part of the county, and how several people tried to run her off over the years, even one with a shotgun!
I sat there in amazement as I listened to this sweet little old lady share story after story and time passed by quickly. She was contrasting how from a discrimination standpoint most things around there are different these days (for the better), but there were still a few in the neighborhood with some deep prejudice against her and her family living there still many years later. Sad! She said she never backed down though, and even when they tried to run her off by taking her to court, the judge ruled in her favor.
As we moved on to other subjects, she began to tell me of all the different places she had worked over the years. Amazing, she had gone from working in a jewelry shop, to being a licensed nursing assistant, to being the private health care assistant of a prominant judge and even working at the Governor's mansion.
She shared with me her philosophies on making money in real estate and how she was a "Democrat" that lived her life like a Republican financially :) Not sure what that meant, but I was amazed at the financial knowledge this little lady had accumulated over the years. She had flipped properties, bought land at tax sales and sold for profit, and even had her own house built. She is one of those people that make you wonder if they have a bunch of money stored up, but they live very, very meagerly.
While Miss L. shared with me lots of details about her children and where they are now, I remembered something from the Bible about honoring older people. It really is a good thing to respect the elderly and really be interested in their lives. I bet there are many more older people who can teach me plenty out there if I will take the time and listen.
As Realtor's, Sarah and I always find it interesting to sit down and just get to know our clients. They are not just a money source, they are real people with life experience and many times they just wanna talk about stuff. All it takes is a caring ear. Many of them have become friends who we have dinner with from time to time.
After the Appraiser finished and drove away, the stories began to flow from Miss L. once again. She knew I had to get going, so she wound up with telling me that although she isn't rich, she feels she has had a rich life, and after we sell her house, she's going back to being a personal health care assistant again in Georgia. At 82 years old! I thought that amazing! I asked her how old the person she was gonna take care of is...she said "Oh she's my age." At a time when most would be content in sitting and rocking the rest of their days, Miss L. was going back to work. I asked her "Why are ya gonna do that Miss L.", and she responded matter of factly "I doesn't wanna just sit around all day or I would probably just shrivel up and die!."
Way to go Miss L.! I sure hope we can get this house sold for you.
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