Gretchen Reggie Hart, the 440th person I’ve met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers, went through a long, horrific health experience, during which she lost a marriage and a career but gained an appreciation of what really matters.

In 2015, Reggie, who was a financial adviser, caught influenza B, which should’ve been a short-term illness but became a years-long nightmare.. She had such bad chronic fatigue that she could barely walk even a few metres. 

At times like that, you learn who really cares, Reggie says. Many friends and family dropped away.

When you’ve got a successful career, and all the material and social trappings that come with it, your status and role in society are clear. But who are you and what is your value if you can’t work or contribute? 

Reggie was forced to think about her identity and purpose. Reggie concluded that much of what our society values is worthless and much of what we present to the world is fake; she would rather live a simple, authentic life. Also, Reggie realised that while she might be incapacitated, she could still find ways to be kind to others, however small they might be.

Reggie tried innumerable treatments, physical and mental, over the years, and, by making one incremental improvement after another, was able to eventually fully regain her health. 

Recently, Reggie returned to finance. Instead of resuming her career as a financial adviser, which would’ve involved helping people who were already financially established, she decided to become a mortgage broker, so she could help young people buy their own home and establish essential housing security.

Reggie sees life as a blessing and is eager to meet new people and savour new adventures. Those things are far more important than money and status, she says.