Here we are......approaching our 18th month since our sweet, kind, caring and beautiful son, JD, went with the angels in Heaven to do Gods work. How do you we survive the deep wound in our souls? How do we work, love, and live with the waves of pain, sadness, despair? As those that are on this journey of surviving the loss of a child, we are forever changed; just not the same as we once were. It sounds so 'cliche'; but the truth is we just don't deal with the 'small stuff' any longer, as we have no energy to process it. We appreciate such simple joys in our days, like the smell of fresh brewed coffee, or the stratus cloud blinding the sun ray. And we crave peace.
So my Real Estate business has not missed a beat since we have experienced this personal traumatic tragedy. But HOW? Is that even possible? We see that it is......The 'how' is what is astonishing.
Our Real Estate career is a people business; helping clients through an exciting, yet stressful transaction of buying or selling a home; and often times doing both at the same time. Since we have been tested, and have experienced our strong faith carry us through in our darkest hours, our souls have been touched with a holiness; a connection. Kindness; intuitiveness; compassion; patience; understanding; sympathy; and rapport are just second nature now. And, our clients gravitate to us; it is truly astonishing......a blessing to keep us purposeful? In honor of our JD? Yes, I believe so.....and maybe this is what we all need in our daily lives with our work, and life: just more authentic caring for others?
Just yesterday, I walked into a prospects home that I connected with via a phone call. I was warmly welcomed by a woman about my age, and I sensed a connection to her immediately. This sense was a distraction for a moment, but then I began asking her question to gather an understanding of her needs, and I quickly got 'back on task'. I wasn't sure why I became distracted for that moment, but I had sensed that this lovely woman was on a journey similar to mine, and I had no sense as to why I felt this way. Her husband then appeared with a bright smile, and a witty joke, and joined in our conversation about their home, and their need to downsize. Once they both shared their concerns, fears, and goals of this major transition in their lives, the husband began to chatter about why he wanted to make the move. In the middle of his run on sentence he was vocalizing, he quickly mentioned they had lost their youngest son in an accident. WOW. .........time stopped for me for a moment, as I stared into his eyes, and then into his wife's eyes. With every ounce of energy I had, I continued to listen intently to his words. Once he was finished, there was silence; I was completing my notes. Then, I took my eyeglasses off gently, and looked up at these two wounded parents and said: I want to tell you, my husband and I too lost a son the same year as your son passed; and I understand. My faith is carrying me through, and allowing me to service my clients with tender care and professionalism. Silence came again; but this time it felt like a tender touch by an angels wing.....it was a connective peace we shared without a word said.
Lets all 'hold hands' through this life that has brought us pain; and live our lives to our fullest. Our youngest son, Christopher, JD's best friend, has felt the same new found tenderness in his heart; and we as a family will survive and thrive. And, we will be with JD again.....one day. But for now, we have his cherished spirit within us, to help us through.
Good Night My Friends.
