Life Changes - By Kim Somers Egelsee & Mike Somers

CHAPTER #11: LIFE CHANGES 

- Excerpt from upcoming book by Kim Somers Egelsee and her dad Mike Somers

It was a beautiful sunny morning. 78 year old Lou waved to his neighbor as he picked up the morning paper.

Once inside he poured himself a hot cup of coffee and thought about the tasks he planned to complete this day. Lou had settled nicely into retired life after spending 39 years as a top psychologist. He still worked part-time helping his wonderful wife who he had been married to for over fifty years, Jeanne plan tours for her travel agency which she had run for more than 40 years. In the early years of Lou's business, Jeanne once asked him for assistance with setting up a tour to Africa. Lou balked at first, worrying about a lengthy absence affecting his psychology practice. Jeanne chimed in that either Lou was going, or she would get someone else to go with her. This was an important lesson for Lou of keeping the balance in his life. Jeanne won, and Lou accompanied her on the trip of his life, with many more to follow.

Lou had now been reading the paper and drinking his coffee for over 1 1/2 hours. He wondered why Jeanne had not gotten up yet and joined him. When he went in to check on her he could sense something was terribly wrong. Jeanne was completely unresponsive. Lou called 911 and a paramedic team responded. Jeanne had suffered a major stroke, never to be the same again. Despite doctors giving Lou very little hope for Jeanne's improvement, Lou wanted the very best for the love of his life. He had Jeanne admitted to a local assisted living facility with a medical staff that specialized in stroke victims. The cost of this treatment was over $9,000 per month.

To make sure he had enough funds to indefinitely pay for this care, Lou decided to sell his rental house where he had close to $400,000 in equity. This was certainly not what Lou wanted, but he knew it was necessary. We both knew this would be a tough sale. The house was located on a busy street and the market was going through a major slow down.

Three weeks into the listing, we had only one showing. We had also done three open houses with dismal results.

Then an amazing thing happened. At the time, every Sunday we would visit my wife Nancy's elderly dad Ben, and have dinner with him. He was now alone, and welcomed our company and meal together. He always ate well when we brought the food. I really don't think he was eating much at all during the rest of the week. That afternoon I bought him a CD set of old Christian spirituals sung by old-time country greats like Eddy Arnold and Tennessee Ernie Ford. That night we played those songs, and for about an hour Ben was the happiest I had seen him in years. We discussed the home with him, and the three of us said a little prayer for Lou, Jeanne and the sale of their home. We came home feeling uplifted and joyful energy.

When I walked in the door our phone immediately rang. A man claiming to be a doctor announced that he wanted to buy Lou's busy street home for "full price all cash". No one would make such a declaration so I was skeptical. At that time cash offers were extremely rare. I asked the doctor if he had actually seen the house, and he responded "No” but he was sure he wanted it. I arranged to meet him the next day to see the home. I told him that we would need his proof of funds to submit an offer. The doctor arrived on schedule with proof of funds for $7 million dollars!! The sale went through without a hitch and closed escrow in just 7 days. It was truly the strangest and smoothest transaction ever. I truly believe it was a gift from God.

Lou now had the money he needed to assure that Jeanne would get the best care possible. For the next year Jeanne did progress well. Lou visited her daily and spent a lot of quality time with her. Sadly, at the one year point she suffered another stroke which took her life. Lou knew in his heart that he had given her all of the love and care that were humanly possible. One year after her passing Lou set up one last African tour in her honor and memory. He had a great time...