The Day My Boss Died

It’s been almost eight years now yet it seems like yesterday.

We were all there, working furiously, focused on our work.

All but one that is, he had already left.

This was the day in February 2005 that my boss died at work.

I came across a question recently and it made me think of him, “Is there anyone from your past that lives within you?”

I think that answer is “yes”.

Jim was my mentor, my friend, a loving husband to his wife and father to his four young children.

He had midwestern manners, thought of everyone and always had a smile on his face and story in his repertoire to share.

I was walking the same path. Long work hours, IM’ing and emailing until the wee hours of the morning, a cup full of coffee an hour and more stress than any person should know.

Jim’s passing stunned me and within week’s of his death I quit my job and started over.

I left a high salary, painful memories and remaining bosses that I never cared to see again.

It was the beginning of a new life. One that included finding myself again, going back to school, starting my own business and finally getting the chance to go to all of my kids school events and sports activities.

It was then that I began to talk to my husband about my dreams and he to me about his own.

I think of Jim often and actually think he’d be so proud of me. He was the kind of Mentor and Entrepreneur that I aspire to be.

Has there ever been an event in your life that has resulted in you changing your path or direction? Have you ever wondered how your life would have been different if you didn’t take action at that time?