Losing someone...

Someone near and dear to me passed away today.  Had I known death was on the table, I would have done things differently.  I would have called him.  I would have visited him.  I would have made sure he knew how much I cared.

Death really puts things in perspective.  It's sad that it comes down to that, though.  It really is.

I woke up this morning and thought I better call this person.

I grew more and more frustrated as the day progressed and I kept coming up empty-eared as I tried to contact him.  At first, I called his hospital room directly just for another man to answer the phone telling me he must have been moved.  Then I called the hospital to reach him, growing more anxious as the seconds ticked by before my call was transferred.  I was then told his line was busy and asked if I wanted to speak to the nurse's station or if I wanted to call back.  I opted to call back.  This was the routine for 3 additional calls placed today.  I finally gave up at the end of my work day, vowing to reach him tomorrow.

Only problem is that there is no tomorrow.  As soon as I drove into my garage this evening, I received a phone call that he had passed away this afternoon.

Had I known?  Maybe, in the back of my mind.  Was it still shocking to me?  Yes, yes it was.

Who was this man?  He was one of my employees, a team member.  He always managed to put a smile on my face.  I knew him long before I became his "boss lady" (as he liked to call me) because my father hired him about 8 years before I joined that very same team.  He helped move me into my dorm room in college.  Then he helped move me out.  He always asked me how my monsters were doing and how my training and races were going.  He came to me when I was doing well with my weight loss so that I could help him do the same.  He called me while on the road just to check in and see how everything was going.  Many a tall tales this man spun, much to my delight.  He had a booming voice that would announce his presence long before he was seen.  He had a way with words that was both funny and endearing.  He had great respect for my family and a genuine love for our company, always taking pride in his work.

We may not like all of our employees or co-workers, in fact we probably just tolerate the vast majority of them.  That was not the case for me with this guy.  I loved him and will miss him terribly.  He may no longer be on this earth, but he will never be forgotten.  RIP Big Papa.