Sometimes location, location, location isn’t the key to defining the value of a home. Often times its God’s providence.
When I relocated home to Dallas last July, my brother and his family decided to put their home on the market – they wanted to take advantage of a soft market and ideally get a deal on a property not far from their current location. They had two offers but neither stuck. It just seemed like they weren’t destined to move.
Their existing place was fine but rather than sell, they decided to stay put. An extensive renovation was in order, however, there was one feature of their home that simply couldn’t be changed – their home’s best feature transcended any physical characteristic, it was a metaphysical connection – or rather a spiritual one. A bond they shared with their neighbors – Dave, Carol and their daughters Patrice and Anna Basso. The Bassos aren’t really just neighbors, they’re more like family.
I believe there was a far greater reason why my brother’s house didn’t sell.
Just a day before Thanksgiving, 2009, Anna, Dave and Carol’s youngest, was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a very rare and terribly aggressive form of cancer that typically strikes children to young adults between the ages of 10 to 20. So rare that only a handful of cases are diagnosed in a year. Anna’s cancer was diagnosed at Stage 4. The tumors were identified on her pelvis and the cancer had spread to her bone marrow.
While the news was devastating to Dave and Carol, the impact was almost as severe to my brother and sister-in-law – they’ve seen Anna grow up. She was simply part of the family. There is perhaps no stronger or more overwhelming sense of helplessness felt by a parent or loved one when the there appears to be no hope for a child.
But again, this is God’s providence. Where there is faith, there is always hope.
My brother Mark knew he had to do something for Anna. While Anna’s health was in the hands of the medical professionals, her emotional and spiritual well-being – as well as her family Read more
