Last year on New Year’s Eve my wife and I had a meeting that would change our lives. Early last December we had a couple power failures and numerous branches fall on the house. It was time to look at doing something about it. So we met with a real estate agent last December 31st.

The fact that he met us New Year’s Eve impressed me tremendously. We weren’t about to put the house on the market immediately, but wanted to discuss listing in spring. He didn’t just show up, but had other listings nearby and a price point ready for us to discuss. At the time, my wife and I thought we could make 1.7 million if we were lucky. He was also of the same thought. Our house at that time would sell for 1.6-1.75 millon. We were happy with that idea.

Then by mid-February we had the house ready for staging and listing. The market skyrocketed up. And we listed for almost 2 million. A week later we would sell for 1.9. Our lives changed drastically when we made that decision to sell. We did buy our dream home a week after that. Taking a chance to make a huge change in our lives was scary. But we did it.

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Yesterday my wife and I dropped off our son at his friends pace that lived nearby our old house. So we decided to take a drive to our see the old stomping ground. Not much had changed for the outside of the old house. But as we drove down our street, a sight surprised us. The neighbor across the street had a “For Sale” sign. He used the same agent as us. So my wife and I stopped in to talk to them.

Bob is 88. When we sold our place, he said he would never sell unless he could get 5 million for his home. He planned to die in that house. That house and our old place were built that same year- 50 years ago. Besides my wife, he was the only original person in the neighborhood to still be there. Us moving from the neighborhood surprised a lot of people. Especially Bob and Mary-Anne.

Yesterday we sat and talked with them for a couple of hours. It was a really nice visit. Except when we found out why they were selling. Bob has stage 4 cancer- with a chance to survive six months. Which explains why they sold their home. They got the same price as we did ten months earlier. The move out date is May 1st. The sad reality is that Bob may actually die in that house. However, his attitude towards death is one that I hope to take up when my time nears.

He lived a good life with numerous experiences that he shared with me over the years. Yesterday he said that he’s ready to go. He’s ready to pass on the fortune from selling the house to his family- because you can’t take it with you. Bob doesn’t look or act like he’s dying. He’s still a youthful 88 year old. He has never let age, pain, or his body stop him from being active.

I’m glad we stopped in to see them. They were always so kind to my family as we lived there. Moving away was tearful for us. Staying there would’ve been more emotional. It’s astounding what can happen in a year. Our lives changed in a year because of one meeting. It appears that meeting also changed the lives of those around us as well.