In the quiet hum of a typical morning in bustling Midtown Manhattan, I found myself stepping into my familiar TD Bank branch on Grand Central, anticipating my meeting with Arthur, my banker. Our connection had been instantaneous since we first crossed paths on Bond Street, around 2010, when TD Bank was just beginning to make its mark in Manhattan. Arthur, the quintessential Jersey guy in his vibrant suits, and I, the European transplant, had an unspoken understanding from the start. He had been instrumental in launching my real estate career with a line of credit approved the day I walked into the TD branch.
At the end in life we only keep what w able to give away
As I entered the branch that morning, Arthur’s suit seemed to radiate even brighter hues, his pink tie a bold accent against the backdrop of the bustling city. I couldn’t help but comment on his flashy style, and it was then that he shared with me a story that would linger in my thoughts long after our conversation ended.
Arthur recounted the harrowing tale of returning home to Jersey two nights earlier, only to find his building engulfed in flames. Miraculously, his wife and daughter had escaped unscathed, but they had lost everything they owned in the blaze. Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, Arthur relayed the news with a sense of stoicism that left me speechless. He had simply replaced his belongings with a trip to H&M, around the corner, donning a new suit, tie, and boxers for work the next day as if nothing had happened.
In that moment, I couldn’t help but reflect on the fires I had faced in my own life—the ones that may not have left visible scars but had left indelible marks nonetheless. The fires of strife in school, the familial litanies , the friendships scorched by time, and the trials endured in the pursuit of my dreams—all had taken their toll, leaving behind intangible losses that no amount of material wealth could replace.
For in the journey of life, whether we’re athletes, soldiers, explorers, or simply individuals daring to carve our own paths, we inevitably encounter fires that threaten to consume us. Yet, it is in the midst of these trials that we discover what truly matters—the relationships forged in the crucible of adversity, the resilience cultivated through hardship, and the unwavering spirit that refuses to be extinguished.
Ultimately, we come to realize that in life, we can only hold onto what we are willing to give away.
And in the face of adversity, it is the bonds of love, the strength of character, and the depth of our humanity that endure, lighting the way through the darkest nights of the soul.
