Humans helping humans

Earlier this month there was a tragic accident in my town.  This accident did not involve me or anyone that I know, but in a sense it involved my whole world.  I am saying this because this accident involved a car full of teens; 2010 graduates from my son's high school.  Two of the teens died in this accident and I cannot get them or their families out of my mind.

My son will be going for his driving test next weekend; he turns 17 years old next month.  He will be entering his senior year of high school.  This accident has hit too close to home for me.  Bryan is amazingly responsible, but that doesn't stop me from saying before he leaves to go out with his friends things like, "think of the consequences of your actions" or "I love you and trust you", I even tend to get really corny with "hugs instead of drugs".  He generally laughs me off or has some smart reply.  I don't care if I say it a million and one times, as a parent of a teenager you can only do so much to protect your child. 

It was an early Saturday morning when their parents received that call.

The story has been printed all over the papers & online, countless flowers and memorabilia have been laid at the scene of the accident.  Every article states how well loved these boys were; they were lacrosse players, smart college students who were loved by the whole community.  My son did not know the boys, having just moved to the area a couple of year ago, but his friends did, and speak about how awesome these kids were to be around. 

During the next few days arrangements were made and it became known that one of the families have, like many of us right now, fallen on hard times financially; which made a couple of wonderful souls plan a fundraiser at the local Rita's Water Ice for the family to help with burial expenses. 
It is with this news and the thought that if this was to happen, God forbid, to my son I would be in the same situation.  I needed to help.  I needed to help right now.

I went to my bosses, co-owners of the company that I am employed at, Family Abstract, Inc./The Title Offices, and asked them to get behind me in collecting money and donating what we could to this family.  There was zero hesitation; between my two bosses & myself there are 5 teenage boys, the exact amount that were in the car that wretched night.  I immediately sent out an office wide email asking my co-workers to pitch in.
The fundraiser was scheduled for yesterday starting at 5 pm.  All day it was raining off-and-on, then about 3:30 pm the sun breaks out.  It was now hot & the perfect weather for water ice.  After work, I was able to drop off what I collected and what my bosses generously donated to the family and friends of this young man.

As I pulled up to this place that I have been to more times then I can count, my eyes filled.  I prayed to God that I just keep composed.  I ended up speaking to a mom of one of the best friends, she was so shocked and appreciative.  She was literally at a loss for words, all she could do was give me the biggest hugs I think I have ever received from anyone.  Many of the boy's friend's were working the fundraiser; all so polite and thankful, but all with sadness in their eyes.

Overwhelmed by the whole atmosphere, I walked to my car and wept.  I wept because I love my son so so much.  I wept because I love my son's friends so much that I trust them with Bryan's life every time he gets in a car with them .  I wept for the parents who had to bury their teenage sons.  I wept because I felt so blessed to have helped in anyway to lessen the burden of finances so that these people can properly grieve for their son.

Title Scheduler...Your wish is MY command.

My position at Family Abstract, Inc. is loan scheduler.  This position, while quite glamorous is unwanted by most people in the title business.  It means never saying “no”, always being willing to accommodate your clients needs, being sweet as honey and always, I mean ALWAYS being able to find a closer.

You may be saying to yourself, that it sounds easy and truthfully I can say I enjoy my job, but truth be told it does not always go as smoothly as one would think.  Sometimes I find myself receiving a scheduling request at 4:58 p.m. for a closing at 7 p.m. that night.  They want what???  Yes, I read correctly.  Tonight at 7 p.m.  I, of course respond with, of course we can accommodate that.  I quickly begin my search for an available closer.  Hoping and praying that all my closers aren’t already booked for 7 p.m. which happens to be when everyone wanted to close that night.  Oh my goodness, the minutes are ticking by and everyone is booked.  Finally, after what seems like a lifetime I am able to locate a closer who can fit this last minute closing in.  I am thanking God that the borrowers were flexible because, since it took a little bit for me to locate a notary they would never make it to the borrower’s home by 7 p.m., after all we just sent the edocs.  They still have to print and make copies for the borrower.

In the end, I feel good that I have done my job and once again accommodated a seemingly impossible closing scenario.  When people work together to get the big picture accomplished it makes for better business, loyal clients and most importantly happy borrowers.

…all in a days work.  Is there anything else that I can help you with?