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What Do You Do - When Time Stands Still?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Grants Pass, OR 199909023

Rediscover Who We Are - The Blessed RealtorIt's not often that we experience the luxury of time standing still.  The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a glimpse of what the world feels like on pause.  Is it a blessing, or a curse?  Or perhaps both?!

Our family experienced a very personal pause 1.5 years ago when my hubby was diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer.  We were told to go home and get our affairs in order.  In that moment, we were stunned as time stood still. Since then, many of our plans/decisions have been altered in light of the knowledge of that ticking time bomb.  While it may seem like a curse, we're grateful everyday for more time to rediscover who we are.

I wonder what many of you are feeling in this moment.  Are you being forced to make decisions that you would have never considered if it weren't for a ticking time bomb (i.e. pandemic, illness, job loss)?  Many of us are missing loved ones, experiencing sickness/disease, a lack of income, reserves, and even supplies.  

What do you do when time stands still? My hubby and I choose to pray, meditate, take nature walks, smell the flowers, listen to music, read inspirational messages, express our gratitude, and enjoy our favorite cup of Joe (coffee feeds our soul)!  What are you doing to feed your soul?   

 

Posted by

Mel Peterson

 Melinda Peterson, ABR, CRS

 Oregon Principal Broker

 Real Estate Cafe LLC

 541-659-1620

 TheOregonDream.com

 

 

Discover Central and Southern Oregon 

Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Hi Kathy Streib!  You are so sweet, and we appreciate your thoughts and prayers!  I believe in the power of nature's cleanse, and I look forward to new growth that emerges from it.   

Apr 15, 2020 01:55 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Melinda, for sharing your experience.

Dolores and I are staying home in the social distancing mode. It can be stressful time for those who are in the high risk categories. 

Apr 18, 2020 10:20 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Thank you Roy!  I'm glad you and Dolores are staying home and staying healthy!  You can never be too careful. 

Apr 20, 2020 08:35 PM
Anne Corbin
Long and Foster - Lake Anna - Spotsylvania, VA
Serving Lake Anna & Central Virginia

I'm sorry to hear about your husband but maybe this virus is a blessing in disguise providing you the time together that you deserve. Enjoy each and every day we are blessed with.

Apr 18, 2020 02:40 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Thank you Anne.  I believe every crisis provides opportunity to find/learn/do something good.  We are living in the moment.   

Apr 20, 2020 08:37 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Apr 18, 2020 06:42 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Thank you so much Kathy!  You're always so sweet to include me.  I truly appreciate your kindness! 

Apr 20, 2020 08:38 PM
Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL
Joe Manausa Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Tallahassee Real Estate

Thanks for posting your very personal experience Melinda (Mel) Peterson , I hope your husband is doing well.

Apr 19, 2020 04:39 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Thanks for stopping by Joe.  So far, he is doing well. 

Apr 20, 2020 08:38 PM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

This pandemic has given my wife and I the time to focus on one another again.  It has been a bright spot for us.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I wish the best for you and your husband.

Apr 19, 2020 06:22 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

This pause is a great time to refocus and renew.  Thank you for stopping by Raymond

Apr 20, 2020 08:40 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Mel - thank you for sharing this post.  My thoughts are with you and your family.  We really have to savor every moment.

Apr 19, 2020 06:27 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Good evening Grant!  I appreciate your kind thoughts! 

Apr 20, 2020 08:40 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Having had the cancer diagnosis, I know how gut wrenching it can be, and how it changes your life. I found your post very touching and heart felt and I know you are taking this time to really know each other. You are in my thoughts. 

Apr 19, 2020 07:36 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

The "C" word is definitely not a welcome visitor in any of our lives.  Having been there, and done that, you personally know the havoc it can wreak.  We are choosing to see this as an opportunity to pause, reflect, reevaluate and renew our focus.  I appreciate your kind thoughts Nick!

Apr 20, 2020 08:46 PM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

We constanty live in a changing situation. As such there is always plan B, and possibly C put in place. I personally went through several of these epidemics and recalled after school shut down there were pupils who did not come back. They died. The HIV-AIDs was scary. We are not far from SFO, 1 of the most infected cities. The wild duck flu took 100,000 lives in the US. IKE ordered government aids but there was not much other news coming out. Business was as usual. We hope the worst soon will behind us.  Every moment of life is worth living for.

Apr 19, 2020 07:46 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Every moment of life is worth living... so true, Sam Shueh! 

Apr 20, 2020 08:48 PM
Graziella Bruner
NCS Premier Real Estate - Detroit, MI
Associate Broker - Serving Wayne & Oakland County

Every moment is precious, our prayers are with you and your husband.  Thank you for sharing, very encouraging and we should all take every moment that we have as our last moment, I believe people would do better and even act better.  And yes, coffee is good for the soul!  

Apr 19, 2020 09:34 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Thank you for your sweet comments Graziella!  BTW... I love that you have a coffee cup in your profile picture. 

Apr 20, 2020 08:49 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I really enjoyed this post of yours. It's been a wonderful opportunity we've all been given. I don't feel time standing still at all ironically, I feel the weeks rushing by as I try to fill them with as much as I can to make great use of this slow down. I love the quote and I have politely-preaching the last 5 weeks to that point; God slowed down the world so that we could examine what matters most and reset our sail on a new wind known as priorities. 

Apr 19, 2020 09:46 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

"God slowed down the world so that we could examine what matters most and reset our sail on a new wind known as priorities."   Love it Thomas! 

Apr 20, 2020 08:51 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Mel,  Great blog and it is interesting what we are all doing to stay in and not going nuts.  Me, I am still woking on my cook book and trying all my recipes and changing some of them.

 

 

Apr 19, 2020 09:56 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Oh wow, I didn't know you were working on a cookbook Will.  How wonderful and fascinating! 

Apr 20, 2020 08:52 PM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

There's so much more room to pause, and ponder - sometimes that is a blessing, and other times a curse (it's tough to quiet the mind when it's on a roll). The toughest thought and realization for me is that I cannot get to my family should that need arise. It feels surreal that it is not possible to get on a plane and fly to be by my parents' side right now. I've considered sending my girls, so they'll be surrounded by our tribe in the event I fall ill.. these are thoughts that I never had B.C. 

Coffee  is nurturing my soul, and long hikes in the park. Continue to love on each other, Mel, and to cherish the moments (I know, you do just that).

Apr 19, 2020 10:40 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Oh Andrea, I understand your frustration in not being able to get to your family during this time.  Not to mention, being a single mom and having concern for your girls if something happens to you.  It's got to be tough being so far away from your loved ones.  We are missing our kiddos and grandkids who are a state away.  These are very difficult and unprecedented times.  I'm glad you're able to nurture your soul through long hikes and of course, coffee.  You are a kindred spirit indeed!  

Apr 20, 2020 08:58 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Very powerful   Thank you

Apr 19, 2020 02:18 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Thank you John 

Apr 20, 2020 08:58 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Melinda (Mel) Peterson,

I'm so glad that Kathy Streib featured this very moving post in her "Ah-Ha moments for the week. My prayers go out to you and your husband as you have time to pause, reflect and enjoy each moment you are granted. I'm so thrilled to see you posting, you always provide such a wonderful perspective to ponder.

Apr 19, 2020 03:21 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Thank you so much Dorie.  I've always enjoyed your posts about your Gino.  I'm sure you miss him dearly.  We are making the best of the situation... finding many moments to laugh, cry, pray and fill our cups with joy and coffee ;-)

Apr 20, 2020 09:01 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

So glad Kathy shared this and I didn't miss it. Beautifully written and such an inspiration!

My prayers and love sent to you and your husband. Sounds like you have the perfect attitude and the faith and love to get you through this.

Thank you for sharing this much needed positive message!

Apr 20, 2020 01:06 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Thank you Sharon!  There's something to be said for pausing to ponder life's precious moments.  We're grateful for the blessing of time to still do just that.  Thank you for your kind thoughts!  

Apr 20, 2020 09:17 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Mel:

I'm so glad you are back here blogging and sharing your thoughts. This was a particularly insightful and thoughtful share. ending lots of thoughts and prayers to you and your husband, and your family. Be safe and be well, and enjoy the precious moments!

Jeff

Apr 20, 2020 02:33 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Hi Jeff!  Thank you for your sweet thoughts and prayers.  I'm so glad that we're surrounded by wonderful friends and family who care so deeply.  I imagine I will need their support when the time comes.  Until then, we are living one moment at a time and remaining joyful and optimistic.    

Apr 20, 2020 09:21 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

We count our blessings every day. 

That's funny about the coffee.  My hubby started drinking it again during this event... and yes it sure does smell and taste delicious!

Apr 20, 2020 08:39 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

We count our blessings every day Georgie, and one of them is coffee.  We LOVE the smell, taste, and the conversation that takes place around our cups of joe/joy! 

Apr 20, 2020 09:22 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Dear Melinda (Mel) Peterson - Isn't it odd how some couples can stay together (or apart) for 50, 60+ years and never fully appreciate each other? And then, there are those like you and your beloved husband who savor the taste, touch, and smell of each other every day and never stop loving one another through sickness and in health? I give to you both a big virtual hug.

When "C" came knocking on my door and took my spouse away nearly 33 years ago, my kids were very young - so were we. I know the feeling of having to get your affairs in order. It sounds so cruel; yet it is necessary. It's just so unnatural but as you know, once you get that part over, you can fully cherish each other and all the days you have. I pray for God's most choicest blessings on the two of you. 

When the world slows down... When our lives are disrupted..... when time seems suspended we can hide in fear and cry, cry, cry. Or we can face the fear, like you have, and live! Live! Live! 

May you and your husband be blessed. 

Apr 21, 2020 12:57 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Like so many, we have taken each other for granted over the course of 39+ years together.  When "C" shows up, it forces you to your knees and puts everything in perspective.


I'm so sorry Patricia, I didn't know you had been through this.  No wonder you are such a compassionate soul.  The pain we experience either shapes us and makes us better humans, or we shrivel inward and become emotionally stunted and bitter.  I want to be a better human.  Thank you for always being the kind soul that you are and caring about others.  

Apr 23, 2020 08:12 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Melinda (Mel) Peterson - Your video was very, very special! I loved everything about it! It's so beautiful and uplifting. 

Thank you!

Apr 21, 2020 03:45 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Thank you!  I had so much fun making it!  Of course, Oregon provides some good material, so what's not to love! 

Apr 23, 2020 08:13 AM