Have you ever had to take a step back from life and think, "how did I get so lucky?" I've had to pinch myself lately as I think about all of the good things that have happened in my life over the past few years.
Here is just one example:
You might remember a while back how a little boy named Trevor Kott engraved his name on my heart...
This chubby little cherub had me front and center when I heard about how desperately he needed a bone marrow transplant. I felt compelled to act as did my friends, Rocky and Tracy. We collectively held 3 separate bone marrow drives for Trevor, both in Illinois and California... but unfortunately a match was never found.
Trevor passed away on April 25th, 2007. He was only 6 months old.
To my surprise, I got an e-mail a few months later from Trevor's mom Angela Kott. She had planned a trip to Chicago for a seminar with her friend Crystal for the last weekend of September. I was so excited to finally meet this pillar of strength; this woman who so eloquently shared Trevor's life and message with us. Angela is a gem and so is her friend Crystal.
I picked them up from Midway airport at took them to their hotel, during which we were able to talk and get to know one another. It was like talking to old friends, and I looked forward to seeing them again.
We made plans for the next day, but I quickly turned our dinner plans to an early lunch after learning about an event at my kids school that night. Oh, boy... that would prove to be a big mistake!!!
The problem was our youngest son "Bugsy" is a screamer, and by screamer I mean "SCREAMER"!
This kid will kill your ear-drums with one shrill ear-piercing scream. Unfortunately for us, he didn't just scream once, twice... three or even four times; he SCREAMED the entire meal! People were relieved to leave the restaurant because of him. Nothing makes for faster friends, than the humor in an uncontrollable baby who won't stop screaming and scares away the other customers! He's only 13 months old there was no reasoning. I have no idea why he does this, but I was SOOOOO over it by the end of lunch I probably could have cried.
Oh wait, I did...
I forgot about the part when Angela handed me a beautifully wrapped gift.
I immediately asked her if it was going to make me cry, and she quickly said, "no...."
She was wrong.
Tears immediately filled my eyes when I saw the the beautifully framed photo of Trevor and his mom! Even more difficult were the words that followed... "Julie, thank you for making a difference."
I have no idea why Trevor tugged so hard at my heart strings. Maybe because someday the drive I held will someday save someone else's life. Maybe it was to open my eyes to the life that swirls around me. Maybe it was to remind to be thankful for the things I take for granted.
Angela and Crystal were such a pleasure to get to meet in person. I wish I had more time to get to know them both better. Our visit was too short. ( but in so many ways... much too noisy to prolong! ;)
Trevor will always have a special place in my heart. I'll never stop telling the world all about the little boy who inspired me into action, and made me believe that for him, winning wasn't everything... it's how he played the game.
I daydream about postcard design and layouts for my direct mail marketing. I check my mailbox to see if my newest order of printed materials has arrived. I've created "blog" business cards to hand-out to everyone I meet. I've ordered magnets and calendar magnets, "Just Listed" postcards, "Why you should buy now" postcards... and I don't see an end in sight to my insatiable desire to upload my latest design to Vista Print!!!
Given the hit that the banks are taking on these properites, they will only slightly be under market value. Based on the damage that the previous, disgruntled owner, has most likely imposed on the property.... the repairs can easily exceed any profit to be made in the investment sector.