In our meeting a week or so ago, I challenged our small group to contact one person every day that we listed on our LOA as the “relationship you’re committed to elevating from a level 1-5″. There were 15 days left of VIA at the time, and as Indy 64, I don’t recall ever talking about those particular names.
For the last week, I have made my one call every day. Since it’s me, I randomized the list by first initial of the last name. Today was the toughest name I wrote down… my Aunt Renee, my mom’s older sister and my godmother. I had “heard” that my aunt wasn’t happy with me… moving out, divorcing Joanie, and the “big one”… converting to Christianity. Considering my aunt’s role as my “spiritual adviser” (as my godmother), conversion was really hard for her to understand.
And although this sounds silly (and it is), my aunt sounds EXACTLY like her younger sister, my mom. Their laugh, inflections, even the way they breath is eerily the same. So, talking to my aunt was often, for me, like talking to my mom.
I haven’t spoken to my aunt in nearly six months. She moved out of the house she shared with her husband of over 50 years in Atlantic City a couple years after he died, recently moving into a retirement home closer to her kids. She got Bat-Mitzvah’d (at 78!) and is now going through confirmation. She had a fall and hurt herself pretty bad. And all along, I stood on the sideline and thought about calling… and never did. MIRED IN MY OWN VICTIM STORY…all the way.
I was senior today for Karen, Dave VO and Kathryn, my small group buddies. It was a really neat experience for me, and hopefully my buddies too. I asked them about their LOA, their visions… and at the end of the third call, realized that I never “called me”. So I spent some time looking over my LOA… and saw those names, and the name of my aunt. Today’s name.
I picked up the phone and called.
“Hello”?
“Hello Aunt Renee, how are you?”
“Who is this?”
“It’s your nephew Marc.”
“Mark-ie, is that you?”
“Yes it is Aunt Renee… I’m sorry it has taken me so long to call.”
“Marc, you don’t have to be sorry, I’m your aunt, I love you no matter what. Marc, can you call me back, I’m right in the middle of MahJong with the girls. It’s Thursday, but I want you to call me back tomorrow. Do you have my number?”
“Yes, I think it is the same number I am calling now, right?”
“(laughter)… Yes, that same number. I love you Marc.”
“(crying)… I love you too Aunt Renee”.
A perfect call.
One hug is enough.
LOVE IS ENOUGH.
My challenge to my Indy 64 family. Use the next 10 days to improve the relationships you have with those people you listed on your LOA. They are on the list for a reason.
Just call and say “hello”.
One hello is enough.
One hug is enough.
Love is enough.
