Personal Losses I have Suffered
I recently lost two people that were very dear to me. Both lost way too early in their lives.
My first loss was Eddie.
Eddie worked for me for about 9 months. He was a piping designer. He was a great piping designer.
What made Eddie special was his smile. He could make you laugh with his sense of humor and remove your guard with it.
Eddie used to bring me pecans and we would crush them. This was fun and a diversion from the work.
We often ate lunch together in our little team. The plant cafeteria had food and it was our way to connect with each other.
Even though I have not worked with Eddi since 2016 he was very memorable. He looked like my little bother even though he was older than me. (I got to color my hair…)
Second person I lost was Mike.
Mike was a fellow instructor at ITT Mount Prospect. ITT was a private school that eventually went out of business. I worked for the school very briefly, 2 months, before I quit. After a year I came back.
Why come back?
Even though I was there very short duration, I actually liked my colleagues at the school. Everyone was so helpful to each other and the students.
Even amongst this group, Mike stood out. He was the gentlest of souls. He loved spending time in the library helping to tutor students.
Dr. Mike Hanrahan loved learning. I believe that he help a doctorate and 5 masters. Mike never stopped learning and loved to teach new classes.
Mike and I had a friendly competition. We always raced to wish each other well wishes for different holidays. Most of the time he beat me.
I was called by his son Brian and told that he passed away. It hit me so hard that I teared up. Mike was gone.
I had not worked with Eddie since 2016 and Mike since 2007(14 years). Yet both had a special place in my heart. Enough to stop and mourn for them.
As we move through our careers we tend to make work friends. Work friends that seldom translate into friends. Maybe this is a US phenomenon?
These people even though they were not next to me recently touched my heart. Whether they were a team member or a colleague they changed me a bit. They were remarkable. Worth remarking about and remembering forever.
I am a firm believer that once a person passes away they continue living as long as their name is spoken. They continue to live by being remembered.
These two guys will be with me forever…
My four cents…
