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A Surprise Invitation

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Real Estate Agent with Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 SA5376460000

This past Christmas was the same as in years past. Packing to visit one of my daughters and her family for the Christmas Holiday.  The usual challenge continues of how do I get everything in a suitcase for a family of five for Christmas and all of my stuff, too?  This year I ended up with a larger suitcase and a box, both checked!

 

While packing I figured I should also bring along something to read to pass the time.  Sometimes if something of inspiration surfaces, I'll pull out my laptop and write a blog, but I was too tired to feel inspired. Looking through a packed box of books I happened upon a book my sister gave me, "The Christmas Box."  

 

There are books and movies that you know are worth reading/watching again so I figured why not?!  Which was the reason it was packed in a closet.  This book has special meaning for me and a book I will share only with close family.

 

This book was given to me as a gift from my sister.  Inscribed inside are the dates of birth and death of her two sons, my nephews.  Such a sad inscription and an even more sad reality.  I've told this story before so I won't go into it, just know that this is a deeply personal, treasured gift.  

 

Fast forward and I've read the book on the first leg of my flights and started another (short read.)  Since it was a short read I decided to share the book with my oldest daughter after arriving at her home.   It's a heart warming story that was a best seller and now has been made into a Hallmark movie. 

 

Richard Paul EvansThis week I had the good fortune to be invited to a book type of event.  The funny thing is I had two of those on the same night. 

 

I bailed on the book event written by a sustainability guru and decided last minute to join my friends at the other event.  After looking at whose book event I was attending - low and behold it was the author of the Christmas Box! 

 

Meeting someone who could write such a book was a real treat. His charitable work has helped to save children from uncertain futures.

 

 

 

 

As a result of the book, he created the Angel Statue for grieving parents to mourn the loss of their children. 

 

He says that to date there are over 150 of these in existence. We have one in Scottsdale, another personal aspect of this story. 

 

It was a wonderful coincidence from having just re-read the book on Christmas Day.    I'm looking forward to more of his books!  Amazon here I come!

 

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Comments (41)

Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Jan:

That really was quite the coincidence. What a heartwarming story and a neat opportunity to meet the author!

Jeff

Jan 19, 2020 02:23 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thank you Kathy Streib  for featuring this one.  It was one of those head shaking moments that I'll always remember.  Have a great week!

Jan 19, 2020 07:47 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I understand completely Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 .  I'm waiting for whatever other sign pops up in whatever direction next! 

Jan 19, 2020 07:47 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Yes it was a HUGE coincidence Olga Simoncelli .  I was meant to read it and to run into the author!   He was a real gem and Iearned about all of the charitable work he's been doing for at risk youth.  It was also interesting to learn he was one of 8 kids from a very poor family!  There's a lesson in there but I can't figure out which lesson!

Jan 19, 2020 07:49 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

So true Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR .   I've never had this big of a coincidence that involved my sister and my daughter.  You see, my sister's sons, my nephews passed away and she gave me this book in remembrance of them.  Finding the book to re-read on my flight to see my daughter, who was very close with one of them, and so I passed the book onto her.  Hmmmm!

Jan 19, 2020 07:51 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thanks for reading Sheila Anderson !   It's an interesting coincidence and one I'll always remember.  It was a sad time in our family losing a 2nd nephew, brother to the first who took his own life.  The author of this book wrote this story about a woman who lost a child.  When my sister gave me the book I read it, but when I pulled it back out again Christmas Eve, I couldn't remember most of it.  Figuring it was time to re-read it.  So glad I re-read it and had it on the brain when I met Richard Paul Evans!  You can find his books on Amazon.  I have one on order.  Another blog post!

Jan 19, 2020 07:54 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thank you Grant Schneider !  It was a very personal story in our family and meeting this author really emphasized how we should always remember our loved ones who pass before us.  

Jan 19, 2020 07:56 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thank you Jeff Dowler, CRS . I appreciate you stopping by to read it.  I was shocked when I figured out I had just been invited to meet the author by a friend who had met him through a church function.  He lives in Utah, so this was truly a chance meeting.  There were about 20 of us invited to an office building not far from my place in Scottsdale.  It was captivating to hear his story of growing up poor but mentally becoming a business man at the age of 10!  Check out his books on Amazon, Richard Paul Evans.  

Jan 19, 2020 07:57 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Congrats on being Kathy highlighting your post this week!  Well deserved!

Jan 20, 2020 07:01 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Sometimes coincidence isn't really coincidence, Jan Green ... this happened for a reason ... or reasons ...

Gene

 
Jan 20, 2020 07:47 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thank you Kristin Johnston - REALTOR® ! I appreciate your comments!

 

Jan 20, 2020 08:48 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

You're right Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi . There's a lesson in there somewhere.  I think it has to do with my sister and my daughter.  My sister gave me the book and I've been emailing her quite a bit lately as she is planning to move back to Arizona.  Top of mind!   Thank you for reading and have a great day!

Jan 20, 2020 08:49 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jan you know me and books as I read your post I kept wondering... and wow what are the odds no there are no coincidences...but that is just my take... it is faith and destiny... BTW I never heard of this author or the book but I am confident he has just been added to the list, Endre

Jan 20, 2020 08:50 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

His books might make awesome client gifts Endre Barath, Jr. !  The Christmas Box is a winner for that.  I haven't read the others, but I ordered and just started "The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me, for Women."  He wrote the first one, and this is the second one, for women.  When I told him in person that I ordered it, he said, "Good because I left out stuff in the first one as it applies to women."  I'll post on it when I"m finished.  

Jan 23, 2020 05:37 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jan love it when readers interact with writers and the publishers stay in the background...Endre

Jan 23, 2020 09:53 PM
Laura Filip
Laura Filip Broker , Opening doors for All Seasons of Life - Whitesboro, TX
What can we do for you today?

Thank you for sharing this with us. Books are amazing and can touch our lives in so many ways. 

Feb 17, 2020 02:35 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Yes, so cool!  This writer has written so much that he's more approachable at this point.  Great guy Endre Barath, Jr. ! 

 

Feb 17, 2020 03:04 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

You are so right Laura Filip !  I've saved this book and passed it on to my daughter for her to read.  It's a quick read so I hope to share it with all my daughters.  Thank you for reading and commenting!

Feb 17, 2020 03:05 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jan I agree some authors become much more approachable once they have written a few books and they are used to the Autograph Circuit traveling all over the country:)  I recall a very famous writer we met in Boston and  he was shy and smoked a cigarette outside the book store... years later we met him in LA and we laughed because he remembered that moment and we joked... he said to us well now I am an Author I have written more than three books:)) Endre

Feb 17, 2020 09:17 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Cute story  Endre Barath, Jr. !  I guess since Richard has written so many the same is true for him.  It felt that way to me anyway; he was very approachable, warm even.  He has a big heart anyway writing the types of books that he does, much less starting the "Angel statue" memorials for children in cemeteries.  I'll always remember this book specifically since it was a gift from my sister regarding the death of both of her boys to suicide.  So very sad.  I need to visit our Angel Statue where they are both memorialized here in Scottsdale.  It's 5 minutes from my house!

Feb 18, 2020 08:59 AM