During the past year or so, we as Realtors have experienced, first hand, how quickly life can change. You can be sitting on top of the world financially, and then boom, you are flat on your back. Even if a Realtor was one of the lucky ones who's business didn't skip a beat, you'd have to be completely insensitive not to see how the downturn in the market has affected other Realtors and the people who were trying to buy and sell real estate.
We've all at one time or another been hit by some kind of illness, be it a normal cold that lays you low, or something more serious, that takes many months to recover from. You are sailing along and life is good, and then wham! If you are lucky enough to have family and friends nearby to turn to for help, you are lucky indeed. Not everyone has this safety net.
I've been thinking a lot about this during the week. I signed Max, my 13 year old up, to serve at the Salvation Army this week. As part of his earning his confirmation into our church, he needs to do 15 hours of volunteer service at church, or one of the various organizations they support. I was thrilled when I heard about this! I have always felt that we all have an obligation to help where we can. When Max found out I signed him up, he wasn't exactly pleased. Upon learning that this is something I've been wanting to do for a long time, he exclaimed that it wasn't something he's been wanting to do for a long time! The kid has a comeback for everything! I shushed him and told him it would be good for him.
This Tuesday, Max and I, along with several other kids from his Youth Group at church and our Pastor's wife, Mrs. Trish Jurkowski (Mrs. Skee to the kids), cooked and served at our local Salvation Army. There was a big crowd of people to serve that day, and the folks that run the place say they've never seen it so crowded. It was the end of the month, someone noted, and lots of times, folks run out of money toward the end of the month, making the crowd bigger. When we got there, someone greeted us and told us the rules. The children were not allowed to let people help themselves as some of the recipients had "communicable diseases". That made us all take a quick step back, but we quickly recovered. All of the kids had a job and just before they served, I whispered in Max's ear to make sure he looked everyone directly in their eyes and smile. I probably didn't need to remind Max as he is one of the nicest people I have the pleasure of knowing and very much a people person.
When it was over, the Pastor's wife asked the kids what they thought of it. Someone admitted to being afraid of the people at first. Max came over to tell me that he did make eye contact and smile at everyone. Max doesn't realize that I see him. I see how good he is with people, and I see his large caring heart, and I see how innately good he is, even as he is heading very full steam ahead into puberty. I see him and I am so proud of him.
In the van heading back, I asked the kids if we could all take a minute and just thank God we were on our side of the serving table. I reminded them that often, people are just a circumstance or two away from being on the other side of that table and that we should be thankful for all we have.
So today, the very first day of October, I am thankful for this and so much much more.
Carpe Diem!
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That is so awesome! Good job raising a great boy and good job to him as well! I recently started volunteering for Meals on Wheels and it's amazing how many people have asked me "why?". Why? Because it's a GOOD thing to do for people that need someone.
Sincerely,
Kathleen