A friend told me that everything happens for a reason. I disagree. I believe that God can find a way into the hearts of people who can find a way to take a tragedy and find the inspiration necessary to move them to do things that can indirectly have a profoundly positive effect on others. I know this because I am one of those people.
On March 17, 2018, I pulled into the parking lot of my favorite bagel shop when I received a text message.
“John, this is Lori, Connor’s mom. My daughter killed herself after school on Wednesday. The service is tomorrow – Sunday – at the Meredith College Chapel at 1:30. You are invited. Soon we will want to sell this house and move.”
I was emotionally shaken, and I started to cry. I could not image the pain that this family was experiencing. Their daughter was 15 years old.
I knew this family through the Miracle League of the Triangle, a baseball league for children with special needs. I coached their son. I met Savannah a couple of times. She reminded me a lot of my own daughter.
I attended the funeral service the next day. I could see the pain in their eyes and hear it in their voices. They wanted me to help them sell their house, but a feeling came over me and I just did not feel right getting paid to do it.
Several months passed. I agreed to be their real estate agent, but I asked them to think of a charity to which we could donate the commission money to from this transaction. They selected the Miracle League of the Triangle.
We put the house on the market and …………… it did not sell. I was trying everything, but nothing was working. I just could not find “the right” buyer.
Then, divine intervention changed the course of my life.
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