A day I thought would never come is nigh. 

I began working in the 1970s but didn’t join the real estate business until August 1980. Through those years there were a few days when I wished that retirement was just around the corner. The sunny retirement meadow I imagined seemed so distant I had trouble picturing it. 

And now, in what seems the blink of an eye, the time has come. I’m happy, but at the same time, wistful. I’m going to miss all of you and the business that’s been such a big part of my working life. It’s given me so much: friends, knowledge, purpose, and satisfaction. These are not small things.

Speaking to Greater Vancouver REALTOR’s® (GVR) staff at my recent retirement gathering, I mentioned how lucky in life I’ve been. 

I’ve been lucky and blessed to have been born and raised in the last half of the 20th century in Vancouver, a very desirable place, during a time other generations would envy. I’ve been lucky and blessed to have been raised in a safe, stable, and comfortable home. 

There’s more: my managing broker connected me to my wife, Cathie. How’s that for full service? I’d been moping around after a painful breakup. He said, “I can’t stand this. You’re making us all crazy. I know someone I think you’d like. Here’s her number. Give her a call.” 

With a lot of trepidation, I picked up the phone to arrange a blind date. Luckily, she said yes to my invitation. Which led to a blissfully happy 40-year marriage. How lucky is that? And that luck and blessing continued with the birth of our three children and one grandchild. Our son Brian is now a member.

Chance encounters—luck, if you will—have led to spectacularly happy and fulfilling things for me. For example, a colleague had been asked by BC Real Estate Association if they’d be interested in teaching the Applied Practice course, then taught at BCIT. He wasn’t interested, which led to me being asked to do it. I happily accepted. 

That led to a parallel career in real estate education, which I hope to continue after I retire. Around the same time as starting to teach, I was lucky to have been tapped on the shoulder to go into brokerage management, which was good because I was practically starving at the time. 

Then there was the chance encounter I had with Brad Scott, GVR chief operating officer, at the Broadway Cactus Club in 2006. 

I’d left national sales management at Top Producer Systems for a position in member services at BCREA. The boards were, and still are, BCREA’s members. During the three years I was there, I contributed to supporting the BCREA–board relationship. Occasional lunches with the boards’ senior staff were on the menu. 

One day, with no particular agenda in mind other than to maintain good relations with the Vancouver board, I phoned Brad. I’m very lucky that he had the time and said yes to my invitation to meet. We sat down for a bit of chit-chat, which led to him asking me, “So what do you want to know about the job?” “Huh,” I said, “what job?” Brad described what I now do. I jumped at it. 

It’s a rare thing to find one’s calling in life. It took 26 years of working at various jobs to find my niche. Sometimes people spend their entire lives searching for a calling or, at least, a satisfying job. 

I’ve also been lucky to have worked with GVR colleagues, the most professional, accommodating, and warm folks one could ever hope to spend the day with. Our CEO Jeff, the management team, and our staff are a true dream team. I can’t imagine better luck than that. 

In the weird little world I inhabit, there are some very special folks I currently work with deserving mention: namely, Arnelle, Johanna, and Katherine. And in the past, I’ve been lucky to have had really good assistants: Maureen, Carmen, Shirley, Gail, Barb, Shauna, and Katherine. I’ve also been blessed to have worked with a great copy editor, Teresa. What you read every two weeks doesn’t always start off that way. She’s superb at what she does: for example, correcting my grammar and giving solid advice, such as, “Kim, you can’t say that anymore. Let’s say this, instead.” 

And then there’s you, GVR members past and present. 

I have, and will always have, great affection for you and what you do. I can’t imagine another group of professionals who care more deeply about what they do. 

You do what must be one of the most difficult jobs imaginable. You control so little but you’re responsible for so much. And you aren’t paid for your efforts until everyone says yes. 

Yet, every day, you get up, get cracking, and get home buyers and sellers on their way to a happier place to live. It’s no small thing to be at the centre of the biggest decision most people ever make. It’s a big responsibility. But with the positive can-do attitude you bring to the table each and every day, you make it look easy. I wish you were appreciated more. With our increased focus on professionalism, I am sure that will come.  

I’m so lucky to feel the great satisfaction that this career has given me. I’ll miss you. But with the warmth I feel for you and the many wonderful people I’ve worked with over the years, it won’t be so bad.

Thank you. See you in a course sometime. I wish you all the very best.

Our very capable Communications Department will advise members who to contact and where to find information to help you do what you do. Stay tuned.