Sad week for bloggers in the real estate world
Most of you who know me well know that I love to blog and tweet, and it's been a really sad week for social media junkies in the real estate profession.
Active Rain staffer Kerrie Greenhalgh posted three days ago that Irene Kennedy, a NJ Realtor, died after her battle with cancer. Irene started blogging about the same time I did and gained readership quickly due to her enthusiasm and humor. I will always remember a comment she made on one of my first featured posts about the naming of my Facebook page and a bottle of Merlot Merot (you had to be there).
Today I found out that Clint Miller from Missoula, MT, died yesterday after his battle with cancer. Although Clint also blogged on ActiveRain, I saw more of him on Twitter - @therealclint. When my Twitter account was hacked a few years ago and I decided to start a new one, he helped me get the word out to regain shared followers.
It's funny how we develop relationships among bloggers and those who tweet. I dearly love several bloggers whom I've never met. One particular blogger in Barington Illinois and I have developed a friendship, and I can't imagine my life without her!
Another blogger (and my first AR subscriber) is TLW (The Lovely Wife) who is battling cancer and she was close to both Irene and Clint. What a horrible week this has been for her to see them both go.
When we blog, we give a lot of ourselves and are very transparent. It's easy to get to know each other and "connect" on so many different levels. Although I've never met any person I've mentioned in this post, I know or knew them all on some level. And I will miss both Irene and Clint.
As always, when a friend dies, it seems a natural reaction to assess your relationships - with self, with family, with God. I can't remember if I told my husband today that I love him, yet I love him more than anyone in the world. I know I kissed my pups several times today, but did I kiss them more than I scolded? Did I write more than "happy holidays" in the last Christmas card that I sent to a friend?
Death is part of life and I get that. I wish we would get MAD enough about our friends dying of cancer to DEMAND that our government do something to find CURES. You know that the pharmacutical lobbyists would rather that we didn't. FUND the scientists and researchers! NOW! If there's not enough social security for all of us, we'll figure that problem out later!!
Goodnight Irene, and goodbye Clint. My life is richer to have known you both.
Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain
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What a heartfelt tribute to your friends here on AR. I, too, am sorry to hear about their loss. I, too, have made many acquaintances who have become friends these last 2 years. Thank you for reminding us again the value of sharing and caring here in the Rain.
What a special tribute to some very nice people.
Lori: Great tribute that will be appreciated by Irene and Clint's relatives, friends, and family.
Larry, Elizabeth and Jane - yes, AR is a 2nd home to us, yes? I should spend more time here. That darn blogging got me so busy, I feel I've neglected my AR family. Yet another "assessment" to consider. [smile]
Lori,
Thanks for this post. Hopefully, many will be inspired by Steve Jobs who motivated himself to excel in the face of very bad news.
Brian
Death is an identified as an enemy, an adversary but this enemy will be defeated. Our Savior plays a key role in eliminating this enemy. Yes we long to see a cure from diseases that cause death, but the government cannot cure us. It really is not within their power to do so. The only one who can cure is God himself. In the meantime, we can take comfort in knowing that our love ones, our friends, like Irene and Clint are resting and in God's memory to be resurrected in his due time.
Brian - indeed.
Lori, I did not know Irene or Clint's writings. But... after this week and for the first time ... I have a much deeper sense for the enormity of AR and its influence. It is an amazing place. I know you are thinking of them and life will go on. It's what we all do from here on that will matter. Kiss on your honey and love on your puppies. :-)
Thank you Cathy - your comment is greatly appreciated.
I was far more familiar with Irene than Clint and yet, the loss of both of them affected me the same. Just in case anyone missed this news, I'm featuring it in the group Banantude. I know the group Bananatude is supposed to be full of positive news, but I think that it's really good news that AR members are sharing how highly they regarded both Irene and Clint.
Thanks you for sharing Lori.
Lori, thank you for telling us the rest of their story. They may be gently off the planet now, but their footprints here on the rain will continue to make a difference. What is so sad is the told that cancer is taking on so many people in our work. We truly need to support each other to lessen the stress given our work in this new landscape of real estate.
Charita and Emily, I don't know any details about Irene's battle with cancer, but MANY real estate professionals who participate in social media have been supporting Clint since his February 2011 diagnosis. It IS inspiring to see a community come together to help. I just wish we were doing more to STOP CANCER. And, yes, Emily, there probably IS a connection to the stress in our industry.
Lori, Thanks for sharing your thougts and emotions about Irene and Clint. It is funny how people we know only through words and keyboard strokes can become our friends--and real friends at that. It really has been a sad week here in the rain.