Dream Big Campaign

I don’t talk about the downsides to my job very often. I almost feel like I don’t have the right. I’m too aware how fortunate I am. But anyone who's ever worked in customer service knows it’s not always fun. I would love to say I show up to work excited every day, but that's not true. There are some days I’m just tired. I was tired when I was supposed to meet a new client for the first time a few weeks ago. It was a sweaty, humid 101 and we no longer had a model in the community, so I was waiting outside her home; She was 30 minutes late. My inner dialog was grumpy and indignant. When she finally pulled up, I reminded myself of the countless times I personally had been late, took a deep breath, smiled, and walked toward her car. My company, has been participating in an income restricted, affordable housing program to help credit worthy buyers who can’t afford the skyrocketing Austin prices, realize their dream of home ownership. I grew up poor. I know what it means for some of these folks. Or I thought I did, but I’ve seen some things recently that made me question how I ever thought I had it bad. My appointment that day was with a single mom. She had been working two jobs to qualify to buy her first home through this program and today was the day. She explained she had a hard time getting off work and was apologetic, but you should have seen her beam with excitement as I showed her, her new home. Her joy was so great, within minutes I was just as excited as she was. My mood immediately lifted. She had a calming presence and was easy to like, so we were fast friends. She also had strong accent and I’m always curious what brings people to me. So, when we sat down to write her contract I asked her, her story and where she was from. She told me she moved from Burundi years ago. In my ignorance I asked what made her want to move to America. She patiently explained the genocide in Rwanda didn’t start there. It started in her home in Burundi. What she told me next had me blinking away tears the entire rest of the contract. Out of respect I will keep details to myself, but it’s enough to know, she made it to safety, only through the kindness of a missionary organization she worked for. Lots of hard work later, she sat in my office finally realizing a LIFETIME DREAM of homeownership with ME, the grumpy lady who just an hour before was completely oblivious to the honor she was about to witness. If that won't set you straight again, nothing will. #newhomesales #newbuildhomes #newbeginnings #humble #kindness #respect