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THE SILVER LINING To Your Life & Health
770-744-1855
F rom the F ront D oor to the M edicine C abinet
How My Relationships Are Built
It’s incredible how times have changed. Years ago, if you knocked on someone’s door, they would excitedly rush to see who was there. Today, they may shut the door in your face or not even answer at all. It’s not uncommon for people to be
What gets me from the front door to the medicine cabinet is my ability to show people that I want a great relationship with them. It takes trust for someone to let you in their home, and I want to earn that trust. After all, would you put something important, like your health insurance, in the hands of someone you didn’t trust? When I build relationships with clients, I can see apprehension leave their faces. Only then can we start working together to protect them from the real threat of not having proper insurance coverage. Relationships are the foundation of everything I do. I want to educate and teach others about how Medicare scared of a stranger on their front porch, and frankly, that’s entirely understandable. When I approach a door, the resident often feels like they are going to be screwed over because of something a past salesperson did. They may not even invite me in the house, so I’ll ask them, “Are we going to do this outside?”
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help him with his Medicare and asked, “What is your biggest concern?” He started talking about food and where he was going to find his next meal. So, something came over me and I asked, “When was the last time you ate?” He hadn’t eaten in two days. We dropped everything and went to lunch, because there are more important things in life than Medicare. It tickles me to be able to go from almost having a door slammed in my face to helping people live their lives. But that’s why I love doing what I do. It gives me a chance to serve others and help them out of a tight spot. –Duane Hamilton 1 770-744-1855
I AM A SERVANT, NOT A SALESPERSON.
works. I tell my clients point-blank, “I’m here to help you, and if I can’t, I’ll tell you where to go.” My job isn’t to take people’s money. Everyone gets paid with Medicare, so I’m not selling people a service. I’m there to help them understand what benefits are available to them and how they can use those benefits to better their lives. I am a servant, not a salesperson. I aim to do business a little differently. I genuinely believe that the more I help people, the more I eventually get what I want. I once sat down with a client to
own children were young, and take steps to alleviate the parents’ concerns. If your daughter asks you not to be on your phone while in crowded public places because she’s concerned you might lose sight of her child, promise to keep the phone in your pocket. If your son-in-law wants regular updates, make time before bed for your grandchild to call home and tell her father about all the fun she’s having. A little compromise can lead to less stress and more fun for everyone. Pack Necessary Documents You need to have some form of ID for your grandkids. Older kids can use a driver’s license, but if you’re traveling with little ones, find a copy of their birth certificates. You also need copies of insurance and prescription cards and a notarized letter from the parents granting you permission to authorize medical care in case of an emergency. It’s also a good idea to have a letter of permission for your grandkids to travel with
you. Make sure the letter is signed by all legal guardians, especially if your grandchild’s parents are divorced. You don’t want to accidentally cause a custody dispute. Plan a Trip You’ll Both Love When planning your itinerary, ask yourself if your grandkids will have fun, too. You might be excited to visit an art museum, but a younger child might not appreciate it as much. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit museums or historical sites! In fact, most of these places offer kid-centric activities, like scavenger hunts, that can help a younger audience engage with the environment. Just be sure to think of your grandchild first when planning. There’s nothing like the adventure of travel to bring generations closer together and create lasting memories. These tips will help you ensure those memories are good ones. Happy travels!
3 Things to Do Before the Trip
We could all use a vacation, and if you’re looking to bond with your grandkids, a trip might be the perfect answer. It’s fun for you, and getting away from Mom and Dad for a while is thrilling for any kid. But before you board a plane to Italy with your granddaughter or rent an RV for a trip to Yellowstone with your grandsons, there are a few things you need to check off your to-do list. Don’t Let the Parents Worry Letting their kids go on a trip without them can be nerve-wracking for parents. Don’t view parental worries as an implication that you are an irresponsible grandparent. Instead, think about how you felt when your
Do You Have Your Parachute?
Simple Steps to Make Sure You’re Ready for Life’s Curveballs
One of my favorite quotes is “Needing insurance is like needing a parachute: If it isn’t there the first time, chances are you won’t be needing it again.” I believe it paints an important picture for my clients when I speak to them, because insurance is something you don’t want to live without. Think about your life for a moment. At some point or another, we are all going to need a safety blanket when something goes wrong. There are no guarantees in life, which is why I’ve provided you with two ways to make sure your parachute is ready. Check Your Enrollment It’s important to make sure your coverage has the benefits you need for your stage in life. Too often, people let their insurance fall by the wayside or forget they aren’t enrolled in
Medicare. Checking your enrollment will also help you be prepared should you come across a situation where you need to use your insurance. Update Your Benefits Life changes, and so should your benefits. Perhaps it’s been an adjustment in your day-to-day life, or maybe something has happened in your family. If you aren’t enrolled in a current plan that meets all your needs, you could find yourself in a sticky situation. People often feel confused about how to prepare their parachutes, but that’s why I do what I do. I am here to make sure you are not only insured, but that you’re also insured with the most up-to-date coverage — no matter what. Reach out to me
today if you have any questions. Let me help you find peace of mind through your insurance coverage.
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C onfessions of D oor - to -D oor S alespeople Humorous Takes on a Tough Job
Going door to door trying to help individuals with their Medicare is not an easy way to put food on the table. It can be difficult to put yourself out there and be rejected by someone, especially when you believe what you’re doing can help. Fortunately, after I read these two stories, I felt much better about my adventures, and I even got a good laugh. Feeling Blue (Dave and Scott) It was scorching hot one day, so we decided to grab some slushies at the convenience store around the corner from our appointment. We each got blueberry-flavored ones, and we quickly gulped them down before setting out to make our first impression. As we pulled up to the location, we looked at each other and
immediately panicked. Our mouths had taken on a blue tint, and we couldn’t get rid of the color no matter what we tried. We met our potential client, and three minutes later, we were shown the door with them laughing. Beware of Dog (Bert and Casey) We were waiting outside a customer’s house one morning to finalize a contract, when all of a sudden, his dog came up to us from around the house. Usually, we wouldn’t think much of it, but the dog had a duck in its mouth. The duck was barely alive, and we had to do something about it. The customer pulled into the driveway to the sight of us carrying a dead duck off his porch. Needless to say, we lost the sale.
You won’t experience either of these situations from me, but hopefully, you will get a little bit of fun and enjoyment out of these stories.
S autéed Z ucchini and S quash W ith F eta
Zucchini and summer squash are arriving on grocery store shelves. Here is a great way to take these humble, delicious vegetables to the next level. This easy dish is perfect for early summer.
Inspired by thekitchn.com
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS • 1 zucchini • 1 summer squash • 1/2 medium red onion • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1. Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch-thick semicircles. Dice onion. 2. Heat a large skillet to medium high. Add olive oil, onion, and thyme. 3. Once onion is soft (about 2 minutes), add zucchini and
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese • Salt and pepper to taste
squash. Season with salt and pepper; cook 4–5 minutes until squash barely begins to caramelize. 4. Place in serving bowl and top with feta.
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Relationships Start at the Front Door Secrets to a Great Family Vacation Don’t Jump Out of a Plane Without a Parachute Funny Stories from Door-
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to-Door Salespeople Sautéed Zucchini and Squash With Feta Bobbie the Wonder Dog’s Incredible Journey T he I ncredible J ourney of 3 4 Imagine America in 1923. Yankee Stadium opened its doors for the very first time. Walt and Roy Disney founded The Walt Disney Company. The first issue of Time magazine hit newsstands. President Warren G. Harding died of a heart attack in office, and Vice President Calvin Coolidge became the 30th president. And Bobbie the Wonder Dog trekked 2,550 miles to return home. Bobbie the Wonder Dog
Of all the stories to come out of 1923, Bobbie’s may be the most incredible. It all started with a road trip. The Brazier family of Silverton, Oregon, decided to take a road trip to visit relatives in Wolcott, Indiana. Mom, Dad, their two daughters, and their Scotch collie piled in the family Overland Red Bird touring car and headed across preinterstate-highway- system America. Several days later, after the Braziers had settled in with their Wolcott relatives, Bobbie the Scotch collie was attacked by a pack of dogs. The dogs scared Bobbie away, and despite a long
search around Wolcott, the family was unable to find any trace of the collie. The search continued throughout their stay, but time ran out, and the Braziers had to return home to Oregon without their beloved Bobbie. What the Braziers didn’t know was that Bobbie had been searching for his family as well. He may have been scared away, but he was determined to get back home. And so began his incredible journey. He turned his head west and began walking. And walking. With winter setting in, Bobbie had a monumental task ahead.
Bobbie swam across numerous rivers. He trekked across the Great Plains and over the Rocky Mountains. While we will never know exactly what Bobbie endured, we know he made it home. Over 2,500 miles later, in February, 1924, a tired and beaten-down pup arrived home in Silverton, Oregon, to a stunned family. Bobbie the Wonder Dog’s story made national headlines. He received a medal and the key to the city, and he became a silent movie star in the film “The Call of the West.” Today, you can visit Bobbie’s memorial near his home in Oregon.
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