This is why I do what I do...and it began in 1918...
on a Dairy farm in Southern Indiana. Times were so different then. Life was simple and fresh and pure as a tall glass of cold milk. Many people's livings were being made by cultivating the land and what it provided. A little boy was born by the name of Gerald and would be called Gerry.
Gerry, a cotton-topped three year old was playing in the yard one day when he saw his dad's tractor coming in from the fields to the barn. As he had done so many times before, Gerry went running and scaled the fence that kept him from his daddy. But, this time he fell. His left arm was broken and the old country doctor was fetched.
Casting for broken limbs was still relatively new and the doctor was very, very old.
Gerry's mother tried everything she could to keep him comfortable. Three days later he was screaming in pain and again the doctor was called. Off came the cast but alas it was too late. Gerry's arm had been wrapped too tight and gangrene set in due to lack of blood flow.
Gerry's life and mine were both altered that day when he lost his arm.
Gerry was my dad. He was my teacher, mentor, comforter, comedian, friend, and hero. There seemed to be nothing he couldn't do! He taught me how to tie my shoe with his long willowy dexterous fingers. He taught me how to shoot a gun and hit the target dead on. I can hit a bull's eye with a bow and arrow. He could too. He taught me how to shoot hoops and dribble a basketball. He taught me a love of antiques, books and music. He was gregarious to a fault and made friends wherever he went. He taught me empowerment by doing everything the best that I could. Without words he taught me there was nothing I couldn't do if I put my mind to it!
I was his only child and he was my only dad!
Back to the future.
After traveling to Indiana for my father's funeral (December 24th, 1982), my return for Christmas was sad and blurry. Shortly after Christmas I became ill. I was really sick. My fever hovered at about 102 degrees for three weeks and I could keep no food down. I was too weak to move. The clinic down the road had prescribed pills that I later discovered I was highly allergic to. I continued to take the pills and became sicker and sicker until it was almost too late.
My defining moment: My Near Death Experience: 
I was standing on the bank of the most incredibly gorgeous rolling land and electric blue water. There were so many flowers on the other side of the bank it was shocking to my psyche, not just my eyes, but my whole being.
Never have I witnessed such beauty and such a feeling of peace and love. A beautiful bridge crossed from my side to the other bank. I could feel the aroma of the flowers and the colors were more vivid than I had ever seen. The bridge seemed to be a small bridge yet as I came closer it seemed to become long, without end. I looked to the other side of the bank and low and behold there was my father! It was daddy!
He was coming towards me and entering the bridge. I had this rush of overwhelming feelings that I should run to him but my legs didn't move. I saw him begin to pick up pace and run across the bridge towards me. He exuded happiness. He seemed younger than I had seen him but it was, without question, my dad. About midway across the bridge a haze washed across. When dad came through the haze and continued towards me he was whole.
He ran to me and gave me the most beautiful two-armed hug I had ever imagined! It was the hug I had always dreamed of. We did not speak, yet we communicated and I felt his voice. He told me not to take the bridge and that I couldn't go with him. He said I still had things to do. He told me he was happy and he would see me again and that he loved me. I wanted to be there with him. I wanted to go. I felt safe and loved and more peaceful than I could ever have hoped for. Dad's answer was a definite "no".
When I awoke the next morning I felt as if I were healing. I was feeling stronger and thought I had a dream. I kept telling everyone that dad had come to me in a dream that night. With a lot of research and understanding I now know what really happened. Dad didn't visit me. I died. It just was not my time. The Lord sent me to dad to reassure me and to send me back. 
Boy, did I come back! My career in Commercial Leasing turned a corner. I was fearful that I might have lost my job for being out an entire month but instead I was promoted with a raise to the North Central Director of Marketing. My mourning healed, my body healed, my soul healed and I was ready for a fantastic future!
My love of Real Estate blossomed into the sales arena instead of the leasing end and my business is thriving. I revel in the fact that I can look people in the eye and say, "I want the best for you and I will work to see that happen." I know in my heart and soul I am doing what I am meant to do. I am helping people find their home and their comfort in this life. I am helping people with the largest investment most of them will ever make. I am helping people to find their happiness and their futures! I love people and am blessed to be in this business!
Thank you everyone here on Active Rain that will read and contribute to this. Thank you, Dad.
Deb
I have chosen to share my experience with more than my immediate family because it seems unfair. Not all of us will know the perfection of the other side till death. My experience is as real to me today as it was when it happened. I know each and every one of us will continue to continue. I strive to be the best I can be during my time here.
It was my defining moment.
and Proud of it. Deb
;)
;)
