I used to live in Oxford, Oakland County, Michigan. I had a good life, a daughter who had graduated from U of M, a good job and a great husband with a good job too. In December of 2001 my life was changed forever and I learned a valuable lesson. I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I had 6 rounds of devastating chemotherapy followed by surgery plus 5 weeks of radiation therapy. To add to the intensity, I was laid off from my job just prior to the diagnosis and the plant where my husband worked was scheduled to close. And I was also running for public office at the same time! The perfect storm! I thought I know where my life was going but there was a different plan scheduled for me. The strangest thing was even though I was going through all of this change and scary stuff I was very calm and at peace. It really freaked out my family and friends. I had never felt that close to God. I just had clarity and a sense that everything would be ok. If this was to be the end, I would be ok with too. I had found peace. As my treatment progressed, we felt an urgent unspoken message to make a new life plan. It seemed to be that there was something else for us to do and someplace else we were supposed to be. My husband and I had been vacationing in northern Michigan near Lake Michigan for 15 years but we had been putting off what we really wanted – a year round vacation home. We realized that it was time to take action. We sold our house, purchased property here in Manistee, hired a builder and built the house we wanted. We’ve never looked back. I love it here. Coming here was just what my spirit needed. My husband is very happy here too. Gainfully employed, he now lives where he works. If you are a hunter or fisherman – that’s important! I feel very connected to Lake Michigan. It’s truly a healing place. I can’t imagine my life now living very far away from the big water. I believe this is where I’m meant to be. I became a Realtor® because I love showing off the place I’ve come to love. So many people who are used to living near the city say “It’s so beautiful but, I don’t know if I could live there. What is there to do? Where will I shop?” Well, I’ve been through that transition and I can help! I know were all the best places are to shop and where all the wonderful things are to see. Manistee is a wonderful place to build a life you can live with and love. Coming to Manistee / Ludington / Frankfort area for a visit? Call me to schedule a tour of the Best Kept Secrets of the Northern Lake Michigan Coast. Careful! You’ll want to move here! Life is good! No, life is great! I’d love to help you find the right life for you in or near Lake Michigan. |