11.09.2008 We are delighted to announce the addition of a new family member at CENTURY 21 Westside! Last Friday evening Phill’s wife, Michelle gave birth to a healthy baby boy – Darcy Phillip Broom! After a brief stay at the state of the art Mater Mother’s Hospital, Phill, Michelle and Darcy have returned home to make a new life together as a family. For those of you have been fortunate enough to experience the miracle of bringing a new person into the world, you will no doubt join me for a collective “aaahhh” at the thought of the joy that Phill and Michelle must be feeling right now, and at how fortunate Darcy is to have been born into such a loving home. When I was speaking with Phill earlier, I asked if he had enjoyed any “fast-asleep-on-your-chest” moments with Darcy, and when he replied in the affirmative, I nearly shed at tear at the memory of such simple pleasures! I don’t think it matters who you have talked to or how many books you’ve read, nothing can prepare you for the roller coaster of emotions that the birth of your first child can evoke. As Phill so eloquently put it on the fourth day of Darcy’s life, “I think this is the most stressful thing I’ve ever done! If only I could negotiate with the little fella!” and for a man with an extraordinarily high tolerance for stress, that’s quite a statement! One of the benefits of being such a cohesive team, is that Phill has been able to step away from the office the instant Michelle went into labour, and the business has continued seamlessly. It’s one of the aspects of our business that we pride ourselves on - being able to deliver consistently to our clients through all weathers. We wish him and Michelle all the best as they get into a new routine in life, and we anticipate having Phill back on deck again towards the end of the month. So, on behalf of the whole team at CENTURY 21 Westside, a heartfelt congratulations to Phill and Michelle, and we look forward to seeing Darcy in a gold jacket at an open home soon! Until next week…
The father lode
Not so long ago a father was a success if he could put a roof over his family’s head. Now it takes a roof, deck, home theatre, teen retreat and pool. And that’s just the holiday house. These aren’t easy times to be a father, let alone a “good father”. Just as the world seems to be spinning faster than ever before, requiring us to work harder and for longer, not always fully comprehending why or what for, fathers are also trying to make better use of family time. To engage with their children. To empathise with their wife or partner. To not only lead but to inspire, comfort and understand. As far as job descriptions go, it’s fairly heady stuff. Working in the real estate business used to be about finding new owners for houses. Now, thankfully, we speak of families and “homes”. We don’t simply negotiate prices, draw up contracts and hand over keys. We help people move. I’m increasingly aware of the cost and time pressures placed upon modern families, not least of all because I feel them too. As fathers – I have three little girls, all being expertly groomed to look after me in my dotage! – we are all trying to do our best… and sometimes that’s even enough. I am fortunate to have a wonderful father whose ideals and practices I could do no better than to emulate. He strikes a nice balance between work and family, always with the understanding that when the see-saw comes to rest, it comes down on the family side. To my own father and to all fathers, best wishes for a great day on Sunday. You deserve it! !*!*!ALERT!*!*! As I write this, Phill Broom is not yet a father, but with his lovely wife Michelle, due to deliver any day now, please join with me in wishing him all the best for a long and successful “career” as a great dad! Until next week…
