Page 19 - Ready Set Retire

Ready. Set. Retire!

that’s what Jim wanted me to do. He said she had bought into
the whole thing and just wanted to know the program. After a
few minutes, I realized this was the wrong approach. She was
taking in what I was saying in one ear, but it was going out the
other just as fast. I was making no headway, and she and I both
knew it.

So, I stepped back. I had a hunch what was going on with her,
but couldn’t figure out a diplomatic way of saying it, so I spent
some time trying to draw it out of her. When I finally realized
that would not happen, I just blurted it out. “Barb,” I said,
“Does removing this money from your account and using it
represent losing your husband all over again for you?” At that
she immediately burst into tears. She was consumed with grief.
I was mortified that I had brought up that pain, and so was
Jim. However, after she had a good cry and stopped, she
seemed much better. She seemed lighter. Freer. She smiled at
me and thanked me. And I felt good, knowing I had helped
her get by a difficult roadblock.

As I mentioned earlier, she elected to go somewhere else after
that. While I was disappointed not to get her business, I was
also happy I had helped. I know this will sound disingenuous,
but I am grateful I could help her and happy she got her issues
resolved. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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