A Client Who Became A Friend

Giving a face to face presentation to a terminally ill prospect customer is not an easy task. I must admit that I do quiver when stepping into the premier suite of a hospital room at Damansara Specialist Center.

Perhaps from the first "cold sweat" handshake, the late Mr Edward felt the tension and he soften the atmosphere by offering me to sit in between his wife and him at the couch in front of the window.

"Well, I would like to know the full works, tell me how..." that was how the conversation began.

From the very first point that Edward had raised, I can sense it very strongly that he was more worried about his family, his wife in particular, rather than himself.  He liked the idea of our parlour that can provide a comfortable environment for family members and fellow churchmates to come and pay their last respect and at the same time, the wife and children can get to rest in an en-suite room that help alleviate their emotional stress. 

Throughout the entire conversation, it was obvious that he was such a caring and loving husband & father; To him, his family always comes first.

We made another appointment later after his discharge from the hospital.  This time he decided to view the Perpetual Garden together with his family.  I arrived 20 minutes earlier at the meeting venue and waited under a tree. 5 minutes later, he pulled over in his black sporty car wearing a baseball cap with his wife sitting next to him and said, "hey darling, why are you so early? It's dangerous to wait by yourself out here, I tried to be early but you've made it even earlier, next time don't be too early ya."  At this point, I thought that any sales person would wish to have come across such a gentleman customer like Edward. I am the lucky one.

He insisted that we should go for a meal together after the visit. During the meal, we all had some light moments and even enjoyed a few beers together.

The next time when Edward called, he told me he couldn't hold it any longer. He was merely asking me to be on standby ...

Even though there were only a few times that I've met Edward and his family prior to his departure, but I had developed great respect for this gentleman whom now rest in peace in the casket chosen by himself and tried his very best to pave a hurdle free path for his wife and children.

May your soul Rest In Eternal Peace, Edward.