It is possible to "know" someone for years and never actually know them; to miss entirely what makes them tick and to think they must have had some kind of magical life that you have not enjoyed. It's almost never true. If you know Monica Alidor, Mobile's Admin., you may have wondered about her happy heart! She's one of the funniest people I've ever met, and her spirit reverberates throughout our office. I can tell you, on a personal level, as I've walked through the grief of my son's passing in March 2021, Monica's spirit has often lightened my heart. She's helped me laugh and live! She is my teammate and my friend in every way, and I've often said that if she decides to retire, I'm going to need a minimum of a 24-month notice...so I can figure out how to retire with her! This invaluable gift she shares so freely came at a price to her...read on for a small part of Monica's story and take her advice to heart. It'll change your life and very likely, the lives of countless others. We often say ours is a relationship business; let's live like it's true. 
 

A MONICA MOMENT
by Monica Alidor, administrative manager - West Mobile

The power of laughter helped me through a very difficult time in my life.  You will probably need to know a little about the story behind it so you can see why something so simple really changed my life.   

When my children were very young, I lost my mother, father, my mother-in-law, and father-in-law within 2 ½ years.  As you can imagine, I was beyond heartbroken. I was a functioning wife and mother but with little happiness and emotions. My family and closest friends tried to help me bounce out of my depression, but I remained closed and distant from everyone. One night, I was flipping through the channels and saw a documentary about a young 17-year-old boy who was dying of a brain tumor. This sweet young man made the comment that he was ok with his diagnosis. All he wanted to do every day was to bring a smile to the people around him. He did this with his family, friends and just people in general. For some reason, that really touched me. I was drowning in my own grief and blinded by what my sadness was doing to my family and friends. It was not an easy thing to do at first, but I tried every day to make sure I brought a smile to someone which eventually turned into laughter. It healed me during the darkest days of my life. Not only was I helping myself, but I was also helping others. For whatever may have been weighing heavy on their minds at the time, in those few seconds, they were able to let go and feel a spark of happiness. That smile or chuckle eased their pain, stress, and frustration just as it eased mine.  

Laughter heals me. It is my saving grace and that is why I make it my goal to include humor. I hope by sharing my story that it will inspire people to add more laughter in their daily lives. It is the smallest little statement or gesture that touches people and allows them to feel more at ease with you and the situation. It rewards and mends. It is powerful and contagious. It creates happiness. Your smile or laugh will influence others to join in. If you smile, they will smile. If you laugh, they will laugh. It softens the situation and lightens everyone's mood. By extending these two simple gestures to other agents, and even clients, you will create a friendly and inviting atmosphere; thus, smooth transactions, satisfied and happy clients, and possibly long-term friendships. It is worth the effort!