Post by JustMyOpinion on Sept 24, 2009 14:45:27 GMT -5
I truly hope we've hit bottom, and we don't see a repeat of the hard times we've been experiencing recently. I know things could be worse, but for some people times are bad (see below).
I don’t know why I feel the need to post this here, other than maybe if you all are having a bad day you might feel humbled.
I was on the phone last night with an old friend, and it was very upsetting. He has had his own business for many, many years, and had done quite well for himself. He owned a beautiful duplex situated on the SF Bay overlooking some of the most spectacular views, a sail boat. two fabulous cars and lived a pretty carefree life. Not married, traveled etc, you get the idea. Well, a couple of years ago he had knee surgery and contracted a staph infection while in the hospital. He had to endure eight additional surgeries, and mega doses of antibiotics, he literally almost lost his life. During this time his business is waning because he unable to work. As his assets deplete one by one he is facing the loss of everything he had worked for YEARS. And, unfortunately his business was hard hit by the economy. Bankruptcy was his last option, and he has fought hard to keep his home, but the bank found a buyer immediately, (great location) and is evicting him WITHOUT notice. He had just received approval from the bankruptcy court to list his home at a significantly higher price than the bank sold it for. His feeling is the bank has a “connection” with a wealthy investor and pulled a fast one. It was painful to hear him get emotional, he is not an emotional person, raised that men don’t cry etc. He is in his early 60’s and won’t have time to financially recover.
I have another friend who had an extremely successful business (related to real estate) and expanded just before the market went flat. She has gone from maintaining two offices/staff, owning a residential home, two duplexes, a Tahoe home, car, traveled, and got to attend many functions based on her business and social contacts. She has lost all of the above, and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The tumor is inoperable, and she is going through treatment to shrink it so the doctors can try to operate, and if it the surgery is possible it has a 65% mortality rate. She too has worked for YEARS establishing her business, 7 days a week, and sometimes from morning to night. It makes me sick to think that someone so dedicated, and generous has not only lost EVERYTHING, but now possibly her life too. She also is in her 60’s. Where is the fairness, or justice in that?
Another friend of mine has a business that was very successful, and has not been making any money for the last few months. Their family is scraping, and trying to stay in place, but just like the other two examples they too might lose it all. They have a child, and not only will they likely have to move; they probably won’t stay married either.
We all have known each other for many years which make it all the more painful since one watches the other decline. My first friend got emotional when mentioning he wanted to refer business to my second friend with cancer, even though he knew she probably couldn’t physically handle it due to poor health, but he was willing to help lift her up financially, and emotionally while at his lowest point in life. And, that is why he is my friend!
I have my own crap to deal with, like we all do, but when I step back and look at my friends I feel grateful, yet incredibly sad. If you all are having a hard time, there’s always someone out there that has it worse. We all need to keep our hearts open so that we can be there for our family, friends, and probably most importantly ourselves so that we can keep moving forward...
I don’t know why I feel the need to post this here, other than maybe if you all are having a bad day you might feel humbled.
I was on the phone last night with an old friend, and it was very upsetting. He has had his own business for many, many years, and had done quite well for himself. He owned a beautiful duplex situated on the SF Bay overlooking some of the most spectacular views, a sail boat. two fabulous cars and lived a pretty carefree life. Not married, traveled etc, you get the idea. Well, a couple of years ago he had knee surgery and contracted a staph infection while in the hospital. He had to endure eight additional surgeries, and mega doses of antibiotics, he literally almost lost his life. During this time his business is waning because he unable to work. As his assets deplete one by one he is facing the loss of everything he had worked for YEARS. And, unfortunately his business was hard hit by the economy. Bankruptcy was his last option, and he has fought hard to keep his home, but the bank found a buyer immediately, (great location) and is evicting him WITHOUT notice. He had just received approval from the bankruptcy court to list his home at a significantly higher price than the bank sold it for. His feeling is the bank has a “connection” with a wealthy investor and pulled a fast one. It was painful to hear him get emotional, he is not an emotional person, raised that men don’t cry etc. He is in his early 60’s and won’t have time to financially recover.
I have another friend who had an extremely successful business (related to real estate) and expanded just before the market went flat. She has gone from maintaining two offices/staff, owning a residential home, two duplexes, a Tahoe home, car, traveled, and got to attend many functions based on her business and social contacts. She has lost all of the above, and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The tumor is inoperable, and she is going through treatment to shrink it so the doctors can try to operate, and if it the surgery is possible it has a 65% mortality rate. She too has worked for YEARS establishing her business, 7 days a week, and sometimes from morning to night. It makes me sick to think that someone so dedicated, and generous has not only lost EVERYTHING, but now possibly her life too. She also is in her 60’s. Where is the fairness, or justice in that?
Another friend of mine has a business that was very successful, and has not been making any money for the last few months. Their family is scraping, and trying to stay in place, but just like the other two examples they too might lose it all. They have a child, and not only will they likely have to move; they probably won’t stay married either.
We all have known each other for many years which make it all the more painful since one watches the other decline. My first friend got emotional when mentioning he wanted to refer business to my second friend with cancer, even though he knew she probably couldn’t physically handle it due to poor health, but he was willing to help lift her up financially, and emotionally while at his lowest point in life. And, that is why he is my friend!
I have my own crap to deal with, like we all do, but when I step back and look at my friends I feel grateful, yet incredibly sad. If you all are having a hard time, there’s always someone out there that has it worse. We all need to keep our hearts open so that we can be there for our family, friends, and probably most importantly ourselves so that we can keep moving forward...
