One of the better posts I've read that can transcend not only your Real Estate Business, but your life, is by a sister I never had. This is the post. 'WooHoo' Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman inspired me to write this. I'm not sure if this is the best time of day to do so. I'm not sure if I'm in the right mood to do it. Yet, I'm here and will write it cause I can. In this life, you never know.
It's Not Easy...But Give It The Best Shot You Have!
To my knowledge, I didn't choose to be here. To my knowledge, I don't know why I am here. Life is weird like that, at least to me. It would be nice to have Anthony Robbins give my eulogy and help put the FUN back in Funeral and a positive spin on my existence, but I'm sure he is booked. I haven't even begun to give this my best shot, my life, the business I'm in, the people who mean so much to me. I'm not even close to being what I can become. Yet, if I couldn't become, I would have to take a look back at my own Legacy or lack thereof. One day, I'll meet my maker and have a whole lot of questions...some of them answered along the journey of my life.
It's peculiar, my mother sent me an email that I received Friday morning. She's been a teacher for so many years, teaching the mentally handicapped, at least in our culture's eyes. I say 'in our culture's eyes' cause quite frankly, I'll say it again, those very individuals are the closest tangible thing we have to God. That, I'll go to the grave thinking. Onto the email...
Friday was to be a transitional day for my firm. And it was. Tomorrow will be even better because that transition took place. There is no need to go into specifics but on Friday morning, when I opened up my Mother's email, I looked irony right in the eyes. I looked legacy into the very depths of its very soul. I don't have her email off hand but will certainly place it below when I do. A student she used to teach who had pretty severe mental and physical impairments had sent her a letter after all those years from here in Pennsylvania to her down in Raleigh, NC. After all these years, he sent her a letter expressing his gratitude for what she did and the impact she made on him way back then. His condition has worsened now. Even still, he took the time to write a simple freaking letter!
Ladies & Gents, this guy took the time, despite his mental and physical deficiencies, to write my mother a letter years after he had been a student of hers, probably for a short period of time. You want to talk about legacy, the meaning of life, hell man....That's it!
They say "You only get what you give." As selfish as I can be, as greedy as I sometimes feel, as simple minded and immature as I reign, I agree with "They." I have no clue what my legacy will be, I have one hell of a starting point though. That email I received and will post here tomorrow when I get back in the office, meant everything to me and to my perception of life and business. Elaine, if you ever read this, I do believe your legacy is written in stone.
Wow. Jason, great post. That really got me thinking......
We do need to tell people how much we appreciate what they have done for us more often.
I think I will do that right now.
Jason,
Your a great guy, with a huge heart, I enjoyed everything you have written so far..
Tom Weiss
Now that was deep and inspiring and very exceptional writing little bro. I believe my children look at my trials and tribulations as a gift. They learned through my mistakes and I have excelled above what I ever "thought" I could....that's what
Neal...get on with it!
Joslyn - You and me both.
Neal - I miss the 'Macho-man' and his brother. As far as the poet part, jury's out:-)
Tom - Thank you sir, that means a bunch.
Thesa - It has its good and bad days:-) I'm sure you'll see that your sons will view in the same high regard.
Missy - I can't wait to post the email she sent me. It was amazing, as is my Mother.
Jason,
Thanks for the post. The indelible human connections we make during our journey here on earth are what really matters. I believe that we are here for this purpose. The vehicle by which we realize the goal ( real estate sales, education or mortgages) isn't as important as what we impart in the way of compassion, respect and love.
Jason, this post is a wonderful tribute to your Mom and I see you are following in her footsteps. It is very heartfelt and moving and I look forward to reading the email. Hats off to your Mother and to you!
Jo
Jason, go write a book.
Seriously.
Love your Mom. She did a good job with you.
As promised, here's the email My Mother sent me Friday morning:
Good Morning Sons,
Every now and then we receive a gift from the past that makes us smile,
and I received one of those yesterday.
Back in the early 90s when I was still teaching at Keystone, I had a
student who was the son of one of the PE teachers there. This student
had many learning problems, as well as physical problems. He was a nice
young man but very disabled in many ways. After he graduated, I often
wondered what happened to him and how he was coping with the challenges
in life.
Yesterday when I got home from work, I had gotten in the mail a letter
from him. In the letter, he asked if I remembered him and also shared
some of his family news, an update on his physical condition, which has
definitely worsened over time, etc.
I guess the lesson to be learned from this is that after all these
years, out of the clear blue sky he decided to get in touch with me and
let me know how he was doing. In doing so, I realize that I must really
have made some type of positive impact on his life, and that is truly
one of the blessings of what I do in my work.
I read a quote recently that said, "Even when we can't see the results,
the seeds we plant are growing", and in this case, this is a clear
example of how true that can be. After all these years, this student
still remembers me as his teacher and as someone who cared about him and
his well-being.
I just wanted to share this with both of you. Always know that even
with the smallest things that you do, you can be making a huge
difference in someone's life.
Have a great day, sons. I love you both very much.
MOM
Jason,
You do not know me from Adam ~ heck, I have commented twice thus far on your inspiring posts and never seen a response. Yet, I still ask one large favor from you. It will in no way benefit me personally. It will benefit you and your family -- both current and in the future! I have mentioned once on this website a proverb that my Dad taught me. He never "preached" it, he just lived it. When he passed away three years ago, my Mom had a plaque made for the business he owned and ran for about 30 years. It read that a Good name is worth more than Gold and Silver. I never knew that it was one of his favorite verses of the Bible. I just knew that he truly lived his life that way. So much so, that I never even thought about it. At least until that day when we hung the heavy bronze plaque up on the outside wall for the world to see. I miss my Dad tremendously, he was the one who walked this Earth that blessed all of us every day. He touched the lives of strangers with his community service, he reached out to desperate and desolate souls to give them a hand up ~ but never a hand out. It seems to me that your mother is very much like my father was. So, my favor is simple. Do not get too busy to spend time with her. Continue to build the foundation of your legacy. As my Dad was sick and living his last weeks, I stayed with my Mom and he at the hospital. They were both the hardest and best days I've ever spent. I did not make a cent during that month. But, I can truly say that my priorities were right, and that being there for my parents was worth far and above more than any gold, silver, or paycheck.
Joan - It is indeed.
Rick & Ines - Wow, thank you. It was an awesome email to receive.
Sis - I guess I do:-)
Sarah - What a wonderful & heartwarming response! For me not responding to the other comments on other posts, for that I apologize. The favor you ask is simple, but often times not done. You are 100% right on. I will try to follow your wisdom.
BTW, who is Adam:-)
When I read what your mother does, it was something similar to my sister teaching slow learners. I won't go farther with that here but I will say these special people that have that passion, are worlds apart from us mere mortals. I share your thoughts
Jason, you have such a great way of saying things that stick. A marvelous post. I am quite proud to have a friendship with you.
William - All I can say is, Ditto!
Patsy - Thank you for reading.
Cheryl - My mother is a wise and good soul, her email was touching and uplifting.
Laurie - Awww, thank you Laurie!
Jason,
on your second place win in the legacy contest.
Good work !!
Jo