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The Dash Makes All The Difference

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Strategic Digital Marketing Consultant - http://www.coleconnectmarketing.com

For some of us that dash in between is a lot shorter.  It's been a pretty emotional week from Nepal's tragedy to hearing of a friend's 10-year-old nephew finally surrendering on Thursday night to his battle with cancer. The poor soul has finally been released and yet the most heartbreaking part is the family who has been left to grieve their loss.

 

As I read my friend's email my heart broke.  To lose a child has to be the most unimaginable tragedy one can go through.  All week as my friend and I exchanged emails I would go deeper into thought with this situation.  One day she emailed me and asked me to pray that he wouldn't die today as it is father's birthday and I thought how awful that would be to lose a child on one's birthday, but there really is never a "good" time.  I prayed.  Another email asking me to pray that he doesn't suffer.  I prayed.  I have a pretty solid and unshakable faith.  I know the journey the boy was taking would end well for him, but I did worry for his family that would be left behind.

 

After I had my one and only child I remember sitting in the movie theater alone watching "The Passion."  I didn't go with anyone because I instinctively knew this was going to be an emotional ride and it was.  The part which touched me the most was Mary.  I knew her story. but I think because I was a new mother that I could really identify with the sacrifice she had to make and it's a fear most new parents have in the beginning.  I know I did.  I don't think I could possibly love anything or anyone as much as my son.  That's really the only unconditional love there is.  My Mom said someday I'd know what she meant when she said she would do anything for me and she'd always love me no matter where she was whether it was in Heaven or on Earth.

 

My lesson from this and what has happened in Nepal about a week ago yesterday is to live every day as fully and gratefully as you can. Don't concentrate on anything but the dash.  The dash is what makes or breaks us.  We can't worry about the end.  

Comments (15)

Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Sarah. I am sorry for your loss but gratified by your understanding.

May 02, 2015 08:56 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Sarah, I love the poem. I will bookmark this and read it again and also share with others.

May 02, 2015 08:56 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Sarah Cole thank you for sharing this heartfelt story this morning.... I loved the poem....

May 02, 2015 09:05 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Sarah we all know how it will end.  The dash between the years and what we accomplish with them determines how we will be remembered.  Sorry to hear about your nephew.  It has to be one of the most heartbreaking experiences a family goes through 

May 02, 2015 09:15 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Sarah. Thank you for sharing the Dash, read a number of times when I gave a eulogy, like for my mom and dad. This kind of lose is always difficult.

May 02, 2015 09:15 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

This is a poem worth saving. Thanks for sharing, and I am so sorry for the loss of your friend's child. What a tragedy

May 02, 2015 09:17 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good morning Sarah. I liked the poem as we are often too caught up in ourselves and not others.

May 02, 2015 09:42 PM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning Sarah,

Sorry for the loss of your friends nephew.

Great poem that so many should read and follow.

Make yourself a great day.

May 02, 2015 10:28 PM
Sarah Cole
Strategic Digital Marketing Consultant - http://www.coleconnectmarketing.com - Tully, NY
Strategic Social Media Consultant

I tell my husband what a welcoming, encouraging and wonderful community AR is.  You all just proved it again.  Thanks so much and have a wonderful day.

May 02, 2015 10:37 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Sarah, you have a gift of words, of reminding us of what's important. Thank you for being you--and for being here.

May 02, 2015 10:48 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good Sunday morning Sarah Cole - 

The dash is what life is all about.  With that said I am very bad about letting work life get in the way of spending personally quality time with Debbie.  Both of us being type A+ we need to slow down and enjoy what really matters - the dash.

May 02, 2015 10:55 PM
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Sarah, sorry for your lost. We must enjoy the day at hand.

May 02, 2015 11:21 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Sarah,

Lovely poem, and each moment is precious.  Happy Sunday to you.  A

May 03, 2015 02:26 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Sarah Cole ... This is just so darned precious! I love it!

May 03, 2015 02:45 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sarah- I've read The Dash before and am glad to read it again.  Your words are the 'extra' that I loved.  Live each day and worry about that Dash.  The end is what it is.  

May 03, 2015 04:19 AM