When my life changed overnight, I learned an important lesson.

I got off the bus and shouldered my backpack for the walk back to the shelter. As I got closer, my cheeks burned with anger about all that had changed in such a short time. I used to be able to have friends over after school regularly, but hardly any of them even knew that I was not going home after that bus ride at the end of the day.

When I was around thirteen years old, my mother and I stayed in a homeless shelter. Due to health issues, my mother could not work for a short while and in a matter of months we could no longer afford our home. She worked hard to support me in her career as a nurse, but without any income, it was only a matter of time before we fell behind.

It seemed like everything happened overnight for me. I went from having a comfortable life with videogames, friends coming over, and my own room to living in a shelter with others in similar or worse situations. At first, I was furious. It is hard to accept that sort of change, especially as a kid, and I could not stop wondering, “Why me?

”That anger did not last long before my eyes opened to the bigger picture. My mother and I were only there for about six months or so. She went back to work as soon as she was able, and we caught up on our bills not long after that. We even managed to go home to the same house we had before. My stay was shorter than many other residents and I realized most of us are not that far from being in the same situation. Most people are one to two paychecks away from falling behind and losing their homes just like my family did. It showed me that no matter what happens, you have to look on the bright side.

Bad things happen every day, we cannot control the world. All we can control is our outlook. I learned from a young age to appreciate all I have and recognize that not everyone else is in the same situation as me. Since then, I have gone on to keep a positive attitude no matter what has happened because things could always be worse.

In 2016, I became a licensed REALTOR®. It was a shift from my career at AT&T and yet, I loved it. I know how important a home is and that four walls and a roof are only just the start to finding the right one.

Although striving for new goals is fantastic and I do it every day, I never forget to give thanks for how blessed I am in the moment. It is why I continue to help at the local homeless shelter every holiday season with my family, not only to help others, but also to remind myself of where I have come from and how quickly things can change for anyone.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and creating artwork. My favorite part of being a REALTOR® is witnessing the moment my clients and I reach their dreams through real estate.

Whether you are buying or selling real estate, there is a reason behind what you are doing. We all have goals we would like to reach and that is where I start with my clients. I want to know what is important to you, what you would like to accomplish, and then we build a plan of action from there. The home is only a part of your reason, and together I will help you tackle your overarching goal. I grew up here, and so I know how to find not only the perfect property for you, but the right community to fit your lifestyle. I have done it all in real estate from investment and commercial to residential. Wherever you are on your real estate journey, I am ready to walk beside you. Once we get started on this journey together, I will be with you to the end as your lifelong REALTOR®. 

CJ Churchill
REALTOR®

Main (614) 208-0642
CJAChurchill@gmail.com

www.CJChurchillRealtor.com