Good Advice on Deaf Ears

Graduation. It's one of those "markers" that you use to measure things in your life, large and small. I still remember the politician who was our speaker at my high school graduation saying, "The world is your oyster..." It was 1965 and I thought the message was so cornball and uncool to say.

My daughter's high school graduation on the other hand had Willard Scott for a speaker. He was most entertaining and told the girls that they had been given much and, in turn, had much to give back. A great message! He also seriously instructed the girls, "When the temperature is 78 degrees, and the sky is clear and blue with a slight breeze, it's perfect to walk around nude!" How could you forget that!!!

Carey's college graduation featured the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Don Beyer. Beyer illustrated the importance of a written "Thank You" note citing when his family's Northern Virginia car dealership was looking for a new manager for Customer Service, after the hundreds of aggresive and innovative applicants and dozens of interviews, the person who got the job was a lady who was the ONLY one to write a hand-written "Thank You" note. I'm not sure how many deaf ears this message fell upon in that gymnasium but it is the backbone of the way Jimmy and I conduct our Real Estate business. Emails are a great way to share facts and casual information, but a hand-written note takes personal time and thought--something lacking in our busy lives. I've never had anyone comment on the email I sent them, but they'll go out of their way to tell me how they appreciated the note. I know I cherish the few I receive and can't bear to throw them away but have never felt the same about any emails I've received.