Photo courtesy of Creativecommons.org
Social Media
I know that AgentGenius is a web site about real estate and technology, and this may not be the place to write this post, but Benn and Lani gave me a login and a password, so if I’m inappropriate here, its their fault.
We all talk about Social Media and Social Networking from the business perspective, but there may be too little said about the Social part of the equation. If you’re reading this, you are probably aware of the great loss that I and my family recently experienced and are still struggling with. And you probably know that Benn and Lani Rosales rallied the RE Blogosphere in a show of concern, friendship, support, and even love in the aftermath of our personal cataclysm. Donations came pouring into the American Cancer Society and the Lupus Foundation of America in my wife’s name, and notes, cards, calls, emails and more arrived every day indicating the strength of our social fabric, and the incredible quality of the individuals who inhabit the RE.Net.
Thank You
To all of those people, I need to say a public thank you for reaching out – every effort you made was recognized, appreciated, and needed by me and my son and daughter in law, as well as the rest of our family. I would name each of you individually and personally, but I am afraid to forget any one of the many people whose compassion and support have helped sustain us.
I also need to thank Benn and Lani for being so solicitious and understanding of my inability to write or create on any level (even the low comedy level that people have learned to expect from me) as they patiently waited for me to get back to communicating here. Because of their patience and understanding, and all of the caring you have all shared, our healing process, as long as it may take, has at least begun, and for that help, I just want to say thank you once more.
Russell Shaw
August 30, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Bill, I am SO glad to see you posting. I’ve missed your comments and observations (and the low level comedy, too). And I totally agree: anything anybody does not like is Benn and Lani’s fault.
Teresa Boardman
August 31, 2008 at 4:50 am
Very nice to have you back Bill. You have been missed, and yes this is an appropriate place for such a post. This blog isn’t just business. We learn from each other and we are friends.
Matt Stigliano
August 31, 2008 at 7:51 am
Bill – I second Teresa’s words. While we usually come here for the knowledge and education of AG, there are things that make us connected here and it has become a family. I was welcomed in nicely when I started hanging around and it has made me a happier, better agent (and person). Now I speak to some of you outside of AG and I’ve learned even more and built friendships and relationships with others through that. A place like AG is bigger than we sometimes think. Its not just simple words on a screen that we read for business purposes.
On top of all that, you’re from Philly and you can’t not like a fellow Philadelphian who actually understands what Tasykakes are, uses the word “hoagies”, and knows that “soft pretzels” have NOTHING to do with being soft, but more “chewy” (especially if you buy them out of a shopping cart on the sidewalk after a Flyers game).
Vicki Moore
September 1, 2008 at 2:07 am
Welcome back, Bill.
Glenn fm Naples
September 1, 2008 at 6:37 am
Welcome back Bill and sorry for your loss.
What Benn and Lani did was great IMHO – it humanized the Internet. Hope that we all can continue to humanize the web effectively.
Jeremy Hart
September 1, 2008 at 11:07 am
Welcome back, Bill – it’s nice to have you here again.
Thomas Johnson
September 1, 2008 at 11:23 am
Welcome back, Bill.
Jay Thompson
September 1, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Bill – it was such a pleasure to meet you and Sheila in San Francisco. We were all so saddened at her passing. I know nothing I can say or do will ease the pain, though I wish I could.
I thank YOU for all you do, and the person you are. The world needs more like you. I’m glad to see you back here.
Vance Shutes
September 2, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Bill,
It’s good to have you back. Peace be with you.
ines
September 2, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I’m with T – it’s an appropriate place and we have missed you. Here we are my friend.
I'm glad you're back, Bill.
September 3, 2008 at 9:24 am
Bill… it was so great to see you last week with your son, Hal. While I know the healing continues, you were your “old” self last week. It was refreshing and enjoyable. And since it was this blog that brought the news of your loss, this blog is the absolute best place for this post. This social fabric here is strong indeed.