Unfortunate.

Today I received a phone call from a local car dealer stating that one of our insured's had recently purchased a brand new vehicle and was inquiring as to if they had added it onto their current policy with us yet. I kindly offered to assist and proceeded to look up this policyholder's records. Alas, this vehicle had not been added. Which came as no surprise to me as most policyholders have 2 weeks to add a newly acquired vehicle anyway.

The dealer responded with an "I guess you're not aware of what happened, are you?" To which I stated "No, sir."

Let me first preface this with a brief background of this policyholder. He's in his mid eighties and is quite possibly one of the sweetest old men I've ever talked to. I've yet to meet him in person but he is always so friendly and full of joy over the phone. His voice is sweet and he ends each conversation with "I love ya in the Lord!" So cute! I love it.

Okay, back to the story...

The dealer then went into this whole story of how Mr. Sweet Old Man had gone above and beyond his efforts to purchase a brand new, perfect, gorgeous Cadillac CTS in pristine condition to surprise his bride of 60 years. Apparently, he had been planning to do so for months and finally found the perfect vehicle, complete with cashmere interior as well as all of the other bells and whistles. He waited until about 9:00pm one night to make sure his wife was sleeping and he ventured out to make the final purchase to have it sitting in the driveway to greet his bride the next morning along with a letter he had put his entire heart and soul into, telling her how much she meant to him and how she deserved to have the "best of the best" in life.

At this point, I am just awing and smiling as I think it's just one of the sweetest things I've ever heard!

He then proceeds to tell me that the next morning to Mr. Sweet Old Man's amazement, his wife was extremely angry and hasty about the decision he had made and locked him out of the house! She stated that she would not accept the ridiculous purchase and she wanted her old vehicle back. So, Mr. Sweet Old Man went back to the dealership and had to purchase her old vehicle back. So, now he has to pay for it all over again and pay for the other one as he now plans to give it to his daughter.

Tears literally almost dispelled from my eyes at this point as I thought of how crushed he must have felt.

I can't imagine how anyone could treat a sweet, thoughtful and caring old man this way. It hurt my heart.

I thanked the dealer for his information and stated that I would call Mr. Sweet Old Man about getting coverage on the new vehicle.

So, I called...

And his wife answered the phone, hastily. I'm assuming that she is still hot about the whole situation.

He finally gets on the phone and greets me with a "Hello Ms.! Praise the Lord, it's a beautiful day isn't it?" I couldn't help but smile and agree.

So, I asked him about everything and he states that he is going to purchase coverage for the car but tells me that his wife still isn't speaking to him. He sounds so distraught about it. My heart broke for him.

So, I ask if we can set up an appointment for him to come this week.

He responds enthusiatically with "Oh Ms, I've got a fine ceremony to attend on Friday morning at 7:45 am. I'm finally getting my purple hearts! Ms, you're more than welcome to attend! Just tell them you're here for Mr. ******* and they will escort you in and sit you right behind me, valet parking and everything!" and he continues to tell me of his courageous war experiences. I was tearing up at this point. He was so sweet and so full of joy and life for all that he had been through. I don't know who he married but I can't imagine ever being nasty to this sweet old man. I just don't get some people.

We ended our call after he gave me a brief synopsis of his experience in World War 2 and he was faithful as always to say "I love ya in the Lord!"

I'm looking forward to meeting him in person.

I love sweet old people.