September 11th: What Truly Matters

September 11th

“Today, our nation saw evil — the very worst of human nature — and we responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.”
– President George W. Bush

In 2020 with fear of the COVID-19 virus, worries of our economic strength and stability, concerns over basic human rights, and a looming unpredictable Presidential election… it’s hard to believe that even during all of this we aren’t even close to one of our nation’s lowest points in history. It’s been only 19 years ago, on September 11, 2001, that more emotions were instilled into every American and so many other people throughout the world in just 17 minutes than a few months combined in 2020 could ever bring.

As a young man, I was struggling with figuring out my life and deciding where I would be or what I would be doing the next week and next month but on that day, during those moments not a bit of that mattered anymore. I stood in my high school JROTC classroom full of members of our nation’s military, retired soldiers, and so many aspiring troops and quickly realized that nothing would ever be the same. Some of those men and women have since been deployed overseas as a result of those attacks, and while none of them lost their lives at war, things will forever be different.
Co/LAB Lending is a company that was founded on the ideals of love, equality, family, hard work, and ingenuity, so while you may have read that first part and thought to yourself “What does this have to do with mortgages?” I assure you September 11th, 2001 has EVERYTHING to do with today’s way of life.

I didn’t write this blog post to tell you how low rates are or to tell you that you don’t need 20% down to buy a house. Today’s blog is to tell you to hug your family more, to appreciate the small things, and to just smile – it’s contagious.

At a time when our nation is facing some extreme circumstances, we can all easily lose sight of things that matter most. I always say “Feet above the dirt, and air in my lungs, I’ll take it from there.” This matters on days like today more than ever because we cannot force the future at all times. Tomorrow may be life-altering and you may look back and wish you smelled the roses a few more times.

Definitely take a few seconds to remember those lost 19 years ago, but also take the time to feel pride because “The American Dream” is alive and well in our country and this will never change! Our industry is one to show that right now. Real Estate is having a record-breaking year and Co/LAB Lending is as well. While some people may want to see us live in fear or struggle to succeed, the American nation was forged on grit and hard work. We as a whole have fought through pandemics, world wars, economic collapse, and a revolution for freedom… nothing will hold us down! Surely, we aren’t a perfect nation, so many things have exposed our flaws this year but just as we do as individuals; we strive to be better daily.

So, I say again. Hug your children, smile a little harder, remember those loved ones that were lost, because we cannot change what we don’t know but we can change what we do after. Appreciation for our freedoms, our experience with the old adage that “hard work pays off” and the understanding that life is fragile and things change in a flash will forever stand as a reminder to follow those rules that we all learned from our grammar school educators. Treat everyone as you wish to be treated. Appreciate the finer things. Say please and thank you. And most of all…love one another.

“Hey Jules, it’s Brian, I’m on a plane and it’s hijacked and it doesn’t look good. I just wanted to let you know that I love you and I hope to see you again. If I don’t, please have fun in life and live your life the best you can. Know that I love you and no matter what, I’ll see you again.”

–Brian Sweeney – passenger – Flight 175