The Answer Man

Laurence was amazing at sharing information. Clients called him for advice about money, business, retirement, relationships, raising children, caring for elderly parents, spiritual counseling and of course, he was always ready to share sports updates. He was a history buff and understood so much about world events. He always took time to listen and share what he knew.

I constantly asked his advice. Should I offer this workshop? Did you really like my newsletter? Does this jacket look OK? Should we buy this now or wait until later? What do you think I should do about ...?

I realized one day how much I missed talking with him, asking his advice, hearing his take on the news, sharing dreams about our future. I often ask myself, "What would Laurence say?" If I sit quietly in the stillness of the moment, I can hear his response to my question and his frequently asked question to me.

Who loves you baby?

Listening and Compassion

It's overwhelming to me how many people in customer service have no ability to hear what customers are saying to them on the phone.

I told the person I was calling that my husband was deceased and I needed to have a copy of the payments he made last year for tax purposes. The agent told me he was not authorized to talk with me and would need my husband to call him and give me authorization. HELLO..........are you listening?

Well I would like my husband to call me too, but it is probably not going to happen.

Listening and compassion: too much to ask??

Anti-grief Formula

A month after Laurence passed, I went to a department store at the mall and headed to the cosmetics counter. I purchased a bag of moisturizers, serums and lotions all promising anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, anti-sagging.

I didn't know how to say it but I was really looking for an anti-grief formula. A product that would erase my grey, sagging, sad-looking complexion. Something that would bring back the sparkle that I had when I looked at Laurence. Something that would make me smile the way he smiled at me. Something that would make me excited and hopeful again.

Problem is, it's an inside job. (sigh...)