As we near the one-year anniversary of my daughter Kolleen’s death, I would like to take a moment or two to reflect on the past 365 days…365 days of missing Kolleen and celebrating her life. In a way, we remember Kolleen as she was on the day of her passing–full of life and love. It was as though we had taken a snapshot of Kolleen on that fateful day and placed it on the mantel of our minds. It will forever remain a snapshot of her youthful exuberance and boundless joy.

Over the course of the past year, we have aged 365 days. We have changed…becoming older and perhaps a little wiser. Life has buffed out some of the roughness, added a wrinkle or a new ache, and squeezed out a few more drops of our youthful vigor, but we remember Kolleen just as she was on Memorial Day, 2006–living life to its fullest and sharing good times with friends and family.

What has changed in the way we remember Kolleen is that thanks to the thousands of people whose lives Kolleen touched, we have been blessed with the memories that others have of Kolleen. During these 365 days, over 2000 tributes have been posted on KolleenRoberts.com–over 400 pages in all. We have received countless more tributes expressed in person and by way of phone calls, handwritten letters, and e-mail messages.

We have heard others sing the praises of Kolleen, praises that her humble nature would never have allowed her to sing herself. We have read touching stories of how Kolleen influenced her friends, teammates, classmates, family members, and others in her incredible circle of influence. And we have had the opportunity to see Kolleen alive in the hearts and souls of those who knew her best. These loving words continue to carry on and enrich our memory of Kolleen.

On this Memorial Day, my family (which includes the Ralph Roberts Realty family) and I thank you for opening your hearts and sharing your memories of Kolleen with us, with one another, and with the people who find inspiration on KolleenRoberts.com. Kolleen brought you into our home and into our hearts, and you continue to enrich our lives.

We ask you to take some time out of your festivities this Memorial Day to remember Kolleen and what she meant to you. But remember in the way Kolleen would want you to remember–not in sorrow, but in joy. Enjoy your Memorial Day to the fullest, and fully love those around you. Life is too short to live it any other way.

If you are thinking of buying your first piece of Macomb County real estate, you now have more options than at any other time in the history of the Detroit Metro area! Did you know…

• Bad credit is not as big a problem you think. If you have bruised or bad credit, lenders are more flexible and will help you buy. Even if you don’t have money for the down payment, there are options you can utilize.
• If you are not ready to financially commit but need to move, you have options. There are “Lease with Option to Buy” homes all over Macomb County. Sellers and even banks holding foreclosed homes are willing to offer this, just to get a small return on their homes.
• You have more buying power now. Think of it, a 6 percent interest rate on a mortgage gives you more house for the dollar. Additionally, some homes are discounted by as much as $25,000 to $100,000! These two factors working at the same time in Macomb County real estate are like pure gold in your pocket!
• You have more homes to view and compare. The inventory of homes for sale in Macomb County is staggering but it’s to your benefit. You can pick and choose the perfect home for you and your family.
• Sellers are thinking outside the box. Sellers are thinking creatively in order to get their homes sold. They are throwing in appliances, offering to pay some of your closing costs, and are willing to give a discount for new carpeting. Some sellers are even offering free vacations!

Take advantage of the unusual real estate market in Macomb County. Buy low and sell high later. It is a great investment!

For more information about buying your first home in Macomb County, contact Jeannie Sample: Your 24/7 Realtor at HomeCoach@hotmail.com, or call 810-614-2120 or 586-751-0000.