June 26, 2006A Friendship Preserved

Filed under: Success Story by merylrunion |

I received an angry message on my answering machine from my friend about “blowing her off” and not getting her bookkeeping done. It was an ugly situation that I needed to address. So out came your book, “How to Use PowerPhrases.” I tried to call her back for 4 days and either got a busy signal or a message that her message box was full. Since I couldn’t reach her by phone, I wrote her a letter using lines from your chapter about apologizing — without groveling — that was short, but sweet, and to the point. I stated that she was counting on me and I let her down, that I cared about her and our friendship and that by me letting her down I didn’t honor that friendship, I said I was sorry and asked if she would please forgive me. End of letter.

She called me after receiving the letter and we had a conversation that was very positive and civil. I first apologized for letting her down, she apologized for leaving an angry message, and she thanked me for everything I had done in years past. She stated that she knew I was overwhelmed with work and that she had a friend who wasn’t working who would be able to take the work off my hands. I was elated and relieved. I didn’t tell her that though. We made plans on a date to meet with the other lady to pass along all her files, information and backup. The call ended friendly and she asked, “Any hard feelings?” Of course, I said, “No hard feelings at all – friends forever.”

Thank you, Meryl, for your support and especially for your PowerPhrases.