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A 3 and a half year old with Cancer - The True Reason for the Season

By Larry Bettag

Mortgage and Lending with Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 NMLS ID# 158606

December 19, 2011 12:31 PM

So my wife and I go to a fund raiser this past summer. Evidently, Cal, would have been 18 years old today, but he died at twelve of lukemia. Of course the parents are superstars and start a non for profit called Cal's Angels, in memorium of Cal. We go to the fundraiser and say that we'll deliver some This Young Woman is an inspiration as a wife and as a mother gifts to a family in need. Of course, Cal's Angels is so successful that now over 130 companies donate to the kids and their families of those who are terminal.

So yesterday we go to see the family who is comprised of a single mother who works two full time jobs to support her 13 year old son, 11 year old daughter and her 3.5 year old terminal daughter. We drive down to Chicago to give her the gifts (that we didn't even purchase) just to deliver the gifts to them. They were more than grateful, but all seven of us go down to help them out and have our live's changed forever. The daughter has days, maybe weeks to live. Cal's Angels has touched us, but the family has changed us.

She probably won't make it til Christmas, but I know God has open arms for her. The real pain and the real gifts are to the family who has this wonderful girl. God has many mircales in store. You never know, but you act with faith and hope.

OUR LIVE'S ARE CHANGED FOREVER!!!!!

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Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing your story and reminding us to reach out to assist families in need.

Best wishes for a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Holiday Wreath in Colonial Williamsburg IMG_1308

Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Dec 19, 2011 01:05 AM

Peggy Wester

Realty Executives Integrity - Grafton, WI

Real Estate Agent Ozaukee & Washington County

I don't know what to say other than thank you for sharing this story. Blessings to this and your family.

Dec 19, 2011 01:10 AM

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT

St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

When you lead with your heart, it's always for the right reasons. God bless this little girl and her family with comfort through the holidays. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Dec 19, 2011 01:19 AM

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI

Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I agree with those above me...we all must remember to stop and appreciate life and what we have before it is gone...

Dec 19, 2011 01:23 AM

Dennis Swartz

Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH

MBA, GRI...experience counts!

Wow. We all need to do more and our problems seem so petty.

Dec 19, 2011 01:25 AM

Leslie Ebersole

Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL

I help brokers build businesses they love.

Oh Larry, that is heartbreaking. I can't imagine....hard to even think about. I will pray for your new friends in Chicago that the little one is free from pain and fear, and the mom and other kids have strength.

Dec 19, 2011 01:50 AM

Larry Bettag

Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL

Vice-President of National Production

Roy....you're welcome.

Peggy...ditto.

Wanda....again...thanks!

Kristin...it's all about perspective.

Dennis....all of my problems are petty

Leslie....you are amazing...thanks for praying for them.

Dec 19, 2011 01:57 AM

Richie Alan Naggar

people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA

agent & author

Good pause for the reader to reflect....and what ever comes to mind, let gratitude be on point

Dec 19, 2011 02:03 AM

Ritu Desai 703-625-4949

Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA

Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor

Thanks for sharing ..it is an inspiration and a reminder to stop and be thank ful for so many wonderful blessing we have!

Dec 19, 2011 02:34 AM

Joyce Godwin, Realtor, CRS

RE/MAX Elite Properties; Serving Cypress, Spring, Tomball, NW Houston - Houston, TX

RE/MAX Elite Properties

Larry, Makes most our problems seem very small and insignificant. As you said, God has open arms for her.

Dec 19, 2011 03:10 AM

Eleanor Thorne

Equity Resources - Cary, NC

Advantage Lending 919-649-5058

Larry - these are the days and memories we want to cherish with our children. Merry Christmas!

Dec 19, 2011 03:42 AM

Vern Eaton

Askov, MN

Realtor 651-674-7449

Yes, family is the reason for this season. My prayers go out to this family.

Dec 19, 2011 12:45 PM

Ronald DiLalla

Century 21 Discovery DRE 01813824 - Anaheim, CA

No. Orange Cty Real Estate

Hi Larry, I hope that everyone in Active Rain Land will remember this family in their daily prayers, especially the child who is very ill.

Dec 19, 2011 12:51 PM

Bridget "Mortgage Mama" McGee

SWBC Mortgage 410-960-2061 - Baltimore, MD

Maryland Mortgage Mama NMLS#196068

It is stories like this one that makes me grateful for the health of my child every day. It is also why I trained with Team in Training to compete in the IronGirl Triathlon. I was blessed to be able to raise over $3000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 100% over the event minimum goes directly to the patients and their families for research and education.

I will keep this family in my prayers. May God bless them with a miracle this Christmas!

Maryland Mortgage Mama

Dec 19, 2011 01:12 PM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Larry so very sad buy so very true. We have friends battling cancer now. It seems the more they battle the more God shows His wisdom and strength through them. All things through Him.

Dec 19, 2011 01:42 PM

David Shamansky

US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO

Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

You are a good guy Larry. I love to see those who truly extend themselves to help others who are much less fortunate. We have done that with a group called Angel Tree and it is an eye opener for the kids to see the harsh reality and true difficulties so may are facing but they have been so blessed to not be in the middle of

I agree her freedom and joy is right around the corner and she will be in a better place...

Peace and blessings to you and yours

Dec 19, 2011 01:48 PM

Gary Coles (International Referrals)

Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV

Latin America Real Estate

Larry, Thank you for sharing this touching story. I will also be praying for them that they will all have strength and that the little one is free from pain and fear..

Dec 19, 2011 02:53 PM

Juli Vosmik

Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Larry, I think the reason these wonderful angels go through this is to make all of us more giving and loving. It's obvious they touched you. I'm sure this Christmas will be particularly poignant for this family. Thank you for helping. I'm saying a prayer for peace for this little one.

Dec 19, 2011 03:47 PM

Kim Boekholder Utah Real Estate/ PECO

Results Real Estate 801.580.5624 - Draper, UT

Broker Results Real Estate/Leasing Specialist PECO

Larry thank you for sharing. I think its awesome your family participates in helping others. Its such an important thing to do. My daughters 5th grade class gave up their Christmas party this year. Baked cookies instead and sold them at lunch and collected money at all the Christmas programs. They raised almost $300 dollars, adopted a family in need and went Christmas shopping for them. It was awesome to see the little ones get so inspired and determined to help others.

Bravo to you and your family!

Dec 19, 2011 04:07 PM

Marcia Kramarz

Re/Max Executive Realty - Medway, MA

CDPE,LMC,CBR

HEY LARRY - GREAT STORY - Brings me back to those special days my kids were that age and managed to have those types of successes - NOTHING SWEETER!! Merry Christmas