I’m Struggling

I'm really struggling. My boss died on Friday. It wasn't unexpected, he had terminal cancer, but we'd been asked to keep the information just to the team so when it finally happened and we were open to talk about it, we struggled. Martin wasn't just my boss, he was one of the finest humans I've ever met, and certainly one of the best men I've ever met. 

I’ve thought a lot about my last conversation with Martin. We always had the video on, he wanted us to feel connected. On this last call he asked me a lot about the past year, how I was feeling about my work, how I liked being on the Wildlife. Not Entertainers team, and if I was happy (all a resounding YES!), he would remind us often that one of his jobs was to make sure we were happy in our work. Martin had a lot of loves. Animals, yes; people, mostly; rugby and football and motorcycles --- with a passion. Martin and I connected a lot on family. He’d taken care of his aging parents in their home and was now living in that same home with his family – much like me with my husband, Frank, and my dad. He always asked after my dad and had a chance to meet Frank several times on Skype. We also bonded over our love for peanut butter pretzels – crazy but true. I’d cram the largest barrel I could find in my suitcase every time I traveled to London.

Last week I sent him a big tub of those pretzels. Late Wednesday night while I was in Florida for a travel trade show, Martin texted me. My colleague and I had had a particularly good day at the conference and I had absolutely felt Martin with me, encouraging me to be kind but strong, always remembering to put animals first. What I will carry with me always is that at the very end of his life Martin was still connecting, still encouraging, still showing care. Rest now Martin, your team is at the ready and will continue to make you proud. 

#grief #boss #cancer #peanutbutterpretzels #corporateengagement #animals #traveltradeshow #death