A Tribute to Mizti Teresa Douglas
Being 60 years old and having been in business for myself for the last 40 years, my customer base is made up of 95% people aged 65 or older. I have lost a lot of really special people over the years, and it never gets any easier.
My customers are more than just customers to me; they are my dear friends. They go out of their way for me and help make sure I am able to keep everything afloat — the lights on, the water running, and a roof over my head.
Today was a real blow to my spirit. I discovered that a remarkable woman I had been working for every six months for the past 30 years passed away last month at the age of 93. I found out from her oldest son when I did work on her lawn and sprinklers for the very last time today, as he intends to sell the house next month. The home is about three blocks from my mother’s old house in Concord, where I grew up.
The first time I worked for her, it was her husband who hired me, but the yard was her passion. A few years later, her husband passed away, and I continued working for her ever since. We developed the kind of business relationship where she would periodically call me to ask whether she thought other contractors were trying to rip her off, because she knew I would always be straight with her.
I just wish I had gone there last month instead of today.
Her name was Mitzi Teresa Douglas, and she was my friend.
My customers are more than just customers to me; they are my dear friends. They go out of their way for me and help make sure I am able to keep everything afloat — the lights on, the water running, and a roof over my head.
Today was a real blow to my spirit. I discovered that a remarkable woman I had been working for every six months for the past 30 years passed away last month at the age of 93. I found out from her oldest son when I did work on her lawn and sprinklers for the very last time today, as he intends to sell the house next month. The home is about three blocks from my mother’s old house in Concord, where I grew up.
The first time I worked for her, it was her husband who hired me, but the yard was her passion. A few years later, her husband passed away, and I continued working for her ever since. We developed the kind of business relationship where she would periodically call me to ask whether she thought other contractors were trying to rip her off, because she knew I would always be straight with her.
I just wish I had gone there last month instead of today.
Her name was Mitzi Teresa Douglas, and she was my friend.