Day 194: An Honor for Dad

Tonight I took my Dad to an IREM Dinner. IREM is the Institute for Real Estate Management. A professional organization for property management leaders committed to education, training and professional development.

Dad was involved with this prestigious group for many, many years when he still owned his real estate property management company, The Joseph L. Yousem Company. He was both the LA Chapter President and National President of the organization. A very big deal.

I still remember my sister and I and Mom flying to San Fransisco in 1976 to attend his installation dinner, he was installed as national president. Tonight he was recognized as a President Emeritus and presented with a special recognition. I was his date and it was an honor.

Two former employees threw their arms around Dad when they saw him and told me he was the best boss they had ever had. They also said that because of him they continued their participation in IREM and had pursued leadership positions within the organization.

Pictured here with Dad and me is his former employee and friend Farzaneh Tofighi. She is a past President of the LA IREM Chapter and is the Chair of Education on the National Board of Directors. She credits Dad for introducing her to IREM many years ago.

I couldn't have been more proud of my Dad. At 80 years old he is still the man, still has the Mo-Jo... He was the elderly statesman in the room. I wasn't sure if this made him happy or reflective or both. How many years ago had he stood at the podium leading the group to prosperity... how many years ago had he built his business into one of the premier property management companies in all of Los Angeles and beyond ... he was a true leader in his profession.

Now his days are spent living a life full of rewards after working for so many years. His passions include golfing, reading, cooking, and spending time with his adult children and grandchildren. A very full life that was honored and remembered tonight. I was honored to be his date and his daughter tonight.

Day 112: Signifigant Friendships In Death

I attended a Celebration of Life today for a special friend of someone I care about. This woman was one of the original walking trainers for the very first Avon 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk back in 1998. That was the year that sister Michele and family gal pal Cheri and I all took this amazing journey together.


Our Mom had passed away just a few years before and it felt like the right project to throw our energy into. It was the VERY FIRST of the "walk" type charities that you now hear about daily. It was 25 miles per day for three days straight. We walked from Santa Barbara to Malibu, California. We slept in tents the two nights we were on the road. It was an amazing experience.

So there was a woman named Suzanne (which happens to be our Mom's name!) who put together training sessions in advance of our walk in order to train the folks participating on this trek. We would meet at Coldwater Canyon Park and walk up the trails. I was not a regular, choosing to train on my own time schedule as I had three little tots and needed to work around their schedules, but Cheri was a regular and remained friends with Suzanne until her unfortunate death a few months ago.

Cheri was left the executor of Suzanne's estate and today she hosted a beautiful memory to Suzanne's life. Women who were involved in the Avon walk for the past dozen years were all in attendance sharing their thoughts and memories of Suzanne.

Suzanne had been a survivor of breast cancer. When the horrible disease reared its ugly head again in her life, she knew it was just too much for her to fight. She opted for another course.

Suzanne didn't have any family in the area, and trusted Cheri enough to give her the difficult task of taking care of her effects after her death. Suzanne would be proud with what Cheri has accomplished. Today was a lovely ceremony about the beautiful life Suzanne lived, not the tragic circumstances in which she left us.

We should all have a friend who will be so committed, loving, kind, respectful and sensitive when we pass. Especially in the absence of family. Cheri has been that person to Suzanne and so today I attended to support both Suzanne's life and Cheri's commitment to the value of a life.

May we all live our life so that it is rich with friendship and with people who are willing to care for us even when we are absent from the earth.

May Suzanne rest in peace wherever her soul and spirit have landed.