The Roller Coaster Ride of 2009

The office has been quiet this week. The real estate biz typically takes a rest during the holidays. I wish I could say the same about my life outside the office. I planned my husband's birthday at a property that we're nearly done renovating, I threw my father a 90th birthday party, and I've sometimes been double booked between weddings and social events--all good but a pace that's tough to maintain.

My daughter, Nikki, has been swamped working at the hospital these past couple of weeks, which means that my husband and I have been busy grandparents as well. We love the responsibility, but an enormous responsibility it is!

As I reflect on the events of the 2009, I take a deep breath and count my blessings. The real estate business has been a true challenge. I sold plenty of listings, but I also dealt with big deals falling through at the last minute. "Heartbreaking" is how one of my friends described a sale that went south after weeks and weeks of intense work on my part.

I disagreed. Disappointing is more accurate. Heartbreak is death, divorce, and other personal tragedy. And I can say with no sense of conceit that I have the wisdom to know the difference between disappointment and heartbreak.

My kids are healthy, successful professionals, my grand kids are beautiful, and I love my husband to pieces.

Business is a challenge for sure, but there's always an enormous amount of gratitude for the blessings in my life.

Money comes, money goes, times aren't always good nor are they always going to be bad. It's change that we're all having to deal with right now. And the better we can adapt and thrive, rise above adversity, and maintain a positive attitude, the better we'll be. We've survived 2009. It's time to get ready for all that 2010 has to offer.

Here's to a prosperous New Years for us all!

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