Salute

I woke up last week and tried to get writing on my blog for the week and all I got down was the following:
"Well my plans and to-do list items are getting ticked off one by one. How are yours going?
Does the goal seem like it is storming towards you with no relent or does it seem far off in the distance, barely visible?"
I had been awake sine 2 am. trying to figure out itineraries and various other issues that were plaguing my attempt at sleep. I was also so congested with sinus goop that my head felt like it was reaching rupture levels. I decided it was time to call it a wasted attempt and get one more hour in bed before the real alarm went off.

Yesterday (Sunday) I woke up to the news of yet another colleague and friend who succumbed to that horrid disease, cancer. My wife also received news that one of the teacher assistants at her school also passed away on the weekend. This left quite a sombre atmosphere in our home. Yet another reminder of the fragility of this precious life we have been gifted with. It also reminded me of how crucial it is to tell people the important things they need to know. Like my friend Nico, I really respected him and admired how he conducted himself in business and in general interactions with people. When he looked at someone, he saw more than just the function a person performed but that there was a real person with emotions, issues and an actual personal life they are dealing with. Perhaps it was because his own personal experiences that brought him to that realisation, but whatever it was, he loved people and always looked for the good in someone despite how they treated him. That is inspirational for anyone to see. My regret is that I never told him that! Sometimes it is hard for guys to open up like that, especially to another guy. That whole macho bravado image thing, in the face of real life, means nothing! Open up and tell someone next to you something you admire about them. Do it now! It may just be the highlight in their day to uplift them and change their mood.

My wife started something with my boys in the evenings where we have to talk about a highlight of our day. We have been doing this for some time now and gets us to think about something that made us smile, laugh or just feel good inside. No matter how lousy the day seemed, there is always something that stands out as a positive highlight. If you went around creating those highlights in other people's lives, it would make their highlight discussion in the evenings a lot easier. In fact it would make your discussion easier too, as creating those sparkles is uplifting for your own soul.

This morning was a beautiful blue skied spring morning. Strangely, on arrival at my office, there was literally a large grey cloud over our building which pretty much summed up how I was feeling over Nico's passing and the atmosphere in office seemed to echo the same grey sentiments. As the sun burned through the clouds the blue sky is now fully visible again. As life goes on, so the pain of losing a friend, will be burned off to reveal blue skies again. Nico, I salute you and I am truly grateful for having the privilege of knowing you and working alongside you. Respect to a truly great man.