Gift of the Gods

Inspirational song: Lazer Team (Bare Naked Ladies)

Generally I would say that people know when something significant has happened to them. There are those moments in life when you feel like a miracle has fallen out of the sky, and a deus ex machina has provided you with the tools you need for success. I had such a gift from the gods today. I set up my work-dedicated bank account based on the bank our brokerage uses, so that when my commission checks do start rolling in, my share can be transferred electronically in an instant by the boss. It was convenient for me that there was a branch 8 or 9 blocks from my house (and after living half a country away from my home bank for twenty years, believe me, that was important). The young woman who helped me set up my accounts really went the extra mile to secure my loyal business, calling me twice to follow up and make sure I got what I needed (checks, online access, etc.) I was impressed with her thoroughness. The second time she called, I told her how we have been encouraged to meet with professionals who work closely with our field, like bankers, title companies, home inspectors, and so on. She gave my name to the mortgage specialist at the other branch of this bank in our town, at my request. And today, that messenger of the gods took me out for coffee.

I had expected a simple educational conversation about loan packages that this bank specializes in, and maybe a little extra about the changes to the mortgage process that started January 1st. This was much more than that. I haven't seen my grandmother's face in thirty-five years, but I recognized it when it was worn by this angel who took me under her wing this morning. From the moment we ordered our coffee, she told me who I needed to know in town and where I needed to be to join the right groups and network with the right people. In fact the people in line at the coffee counter ahead of us were the very first people she was going to tell me to approach, from the Chamber of Commerce. So she introduced me, learned when the next mixer would be (tomorrow), and sent an email to the gentleman I met to sign me up as her guest. We then spent an hour getting to know each other, this banker and I, and I knew without a doubt that this was one of the most fortunate days of my fledgling career.

By the time we parted, I had also been introduced to another realtor who came in for coffee (this was seriously the hotspot in town), and she helped me decide which Rotary meeting was the right one for me. I will go as her guest next week, and I am fairly certain I will be joining in my own right. I'm still processing all this in my mind, how significant that one coffee date will be as I go forward. When I look back to when things took off for me (and I will look back, scrolling through old blog posts to find out when the pivotal moment was), this date will be circled with stars drawn in the margins. Today was a very good day.

No photos today. I didn't take any, and can't post them from my phone anyway. I'm riding back from south Denver, and don't plan to be awake when we reach the house. So if you knew my grandmother, picture her face smiling at me, coaching me and promising to introduce me to everyone I need to know. Trust me, it's a pretty picture.