April 12, 2013
By Steve Blumenthal
“A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.” — Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
I smiled when I turned on the Masters Championship today. It was two years ago this weekend that I snuggled next to my father on his hospital bed. Some of my fondest memories are the times we golfed together and, fortunately, that Sunday afternoon the Masters was on. He was hurting, afraid and ready to let go.
It was hard for him and me to talk about what was immediately ahead though I knew he was more worried about us than he was for himself. I held his hand and said “you are loved endlessly and we are all going to be ok. When you are ready, simply let go and trust that there is much more.”
We ordered his favorite pizza, snuck in his favorite beer and as the room filled with family and friends, we watched the Masters into the early evening. That big smile of his returned to his face. It was great to see. He passed peacefully two days later.
An advisor client called me the other day and expressed the challenges helping a few of his clients deal with the loss of a loved one. As advisors, we get close to our clients over time. They share personal dreams, goals and often more than just their financial future. We can give them all of the financial advice we know but in the most challenging life situations, like the last days with my father, words are hard to find.
I recommended a book I read recently called Proof of Heaven and told him I wished I had it to share with my father. It is a book that touches all human strata: religious, agnostic, spiritual, the curios of mind.
Following is a link to a Newsweek Magazine article interviewing neurosurgeon Dr. Eben Alexander, the author of Proof of Heaven. Dr. Alexander is an academic neurosurgeon teaching at Harvard Medical School and other universities.
I plan on watching the Masters this Sunday and hope both of my children snuggle up on the couch next to me. Maybe a cold beer, some pizza and a silent conversation with my old man.
“What is” – don’t know, maybe, certainly hope so!
Have a great weekend!
With warm regards,
Steve
Stephen B. Blumenthal
Founder & CEO
Philadelphia Office – King of Prussia, PA
CMG Capital Management Group, Inc.
steve@cmgwealth.com
610-989-9090 Phone
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