It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye

Cue Boyz II Men; I’m feeling a bit misty-eyed this morning. Why? As of July 1, a chapter of my life is officially over. Even though I haven’t been a full-time Realtor for 2 ½ years, I’ve kept up with my license just in case I ever ~~wanted~~ had to go back. But it expires June 30, and I’ve decided not to renew it.

I was never passionate about real estate, but the company I worked for was another matter. Century 21 McAlpine was my family. Well, not the company itself, but the people; both past and present.

My family knew how to have fun together. Each year around Halloween, we would dress up for our weekly sales meeting and the person with the best costume would win a prize.

I did not win in 2007 with my Miss Teen South Carolina getup.

Kevin–a.k.a. Batman–didn’t win either, nor did he change clothes before the caravan set out to tour the new company listings. My friend (and winner of 2007’s contest) Ann and I arrived at Kevin’s new listing and were instructed to make sure the front door remained closed in order to keep the client’s three dogs inside.

We had no problem following directions. But someone else did. Suddenly a diverse canine trio, including a dachshund and golden retriever, tore through the front door and made a beeline for freedom. Losing your client’s dogs is not on the marketing plan for any new listing, so before we could say “Robin”, Batman was tearing through the neighborhood after them. Had our laughter been less hysterical, we might have assisted Batman with his round-up.

Memories like that cause the lump to form in my throat when I think about never going back. These are the people who shook their heads and smiled every time I belched loud enough for the building to hear. They were the voice of reason when a deal went south and I was so fired up I was spitting nails. They were the arms of comfort when someone or something reduced me to tears. I know I’ll always be welcome, but things will never be the same.

How do I say goodbye to what we had?
The good times that made us laugh
Outweigh the bad…

And I’ll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain.
It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

Boyz II Men had it right on every level. Goodbye is hard. But my memories with Century 21 McAlpine are pretty dang sunny.