Live, Laugh, Love

Just before we left for a week's vacation, we learned of the sudden and tragic loss of one of our agents. Mary was a top-producing Realtor® with our company, and her husband is our broker. Although we weren't in the same office, everyone knew and respected her. She died while she was vacationing in Colorado with her family when the horse she was riding stumbled and she fell into a rushing creek and was swept away in front of her husband and nine-year-old daughter. This happened on June 20, but her body has not yet been found. Her memorial service was yesterday.

Mary loved the outdoors and was an experienced rider. She died while taking a trail ride to a popular restaurant in the back country. Little did she know that the first day of summer would be the last day of her life.

This blog could be about how much Mary contributed to our company and community, but rather than dwell on her loss, I'd rather use this tragedy to remind us all that life can be cut short at anytime. We shouldn't worry about when that may be or dwell on the fact that we are mortal. That would take away from all the good things we have yet to experience, plus it would crippling and counterproductive. Nor should we dwell on minor inconveniences or fixate or things that are insignificant. The energy spent doing so robs us of our ability to embrace all that is beautiful in the world around us.

At Mary's memorial service, Realtors® received a ribbon with the words, "Live, Laugh, Love." That is what Mary left us with, a reminder that we need to embrace life and experience all it has to offer.

Really "living" can be hard many days, and as healing as laughter can be, we often don't laugh enough. Sometimes it is difficult to love because of the fear of being hurt or left alone. Yet, we need to remind ourselves that on those days when living is tough, it's laughter and love of our family and friends that can help us through the difficult days. We are not alone and need not suffer in silence or isolation.

Mary was not much older than me, and her passing has been a huge slap in the face that every moment of every day is an opportunity to learn and grow. Our community will miss her immensely, but her legacy of those three words, "Live, Laugh, Learn," will resonate with me forever.

Update: Mary's body was found July 10, almost three weeks after the accident. Although still a tragic accident, at least the family can have some kind of closure.