Angel in Disguise
Monday, February 15, 2010 at 11:53AM
Genie Birch, President, C.A.R.Something happened to me that I wanted to share with all of you.
On Friday afternoon I hopped into a cab after taping an interview about Chicago foreclosures for CLTV at Trib Tower. (One of the perks as President of the Chicago Association of REALTORS.) I was running late and had to get to the garage to get my car to get to my next appointment. During the cab ride I took out my Blackberry and checked my messages. We got to the garage and I paid for the ride, the change got complicated, I asked the driver for a receipt and got out. As the cab pulled away, I had that sinking feeling when your heart falls to your stomach and started to panic. I'd left my phone in the cab.
I got my car and went back down Michigan Ave hoping I would either recognize the cab company or the driver. No luck. The receipt, which was blank, had advertising from “The Elysian Hotel.” I decided to go there and see what cab companies it provides with receipts. All I knew was that it was a white cab. It was the first time I realized there are so many different companies with white cabs. The manager told me he would get back to me with information. So, with a sinking heart and already late, I went home to see if I could and track down my phone.
This is where the miracle happens.
I got home and called my phone. It rang and rang. And then guess what, Sue Lewandowski picked up. I let out a scream, "Oh my gosh! I can't believe it! A human being on the other side. You found my phone." She responded, "Genie?" I said, "yes." Sue told me she was catching a cab, saw something pink on the seat and reached for it. She saw it was a Blackberry. In the meantime, because I am in real estate, she was getting calls for me.
One agent thanked her for picking up the phone and explained to her that our phones are our lifeline in this business. Sue thought about taking messages for me but then told all of the callers I had lost my phone and they should call my office. She also scrolled through my address book hoping to find a home phone and luckily that is exactly how I had made the entry. She had called my home and left a message. I just called before I picked up the messages. So of course I couldn't thank her enough and wanted to know how or where I could retrieve the phone.
She told me she worked in the marketing department at radio station WTMX, which I listen to. She is an angel in disguise. Just when we lose faith in our fellow human beings or become jaded, we get lucky and are graced by a Sue Lewandowski. She saved me. I don't know how I would have been able to reconstruct my calendar let alone my contacts. Worst of all, I would have lost all of my pictures. She was so kind. She met my husband at an intersection so he wouldn't get lost finding her address.
I don't know if there is anything I can do for such an extraordinary person but I am sure going to try. This was more than just being a Good Samaritan. The only way I can repay her is by paying it forward. I needed everyone to know that I personally and publicly acknowledge Sue Lewandowski. Especially for going the extra mile. G-d bless her.
Genie Birch, ABR, GRI, CIPS
2009-2010 President
Chicago Association of REALTORS®
Koenig & Strey GMAC


