This is a note I sent last night to an audience that’s introduced in the note itself. I decided to make it my entry for this morning.
Friends,
I’d like to invite you, no let me make that “encourage you,” to view tonight’s entry at my personal blog, because I have made an important and unfortunately, a sad announcement there tonight. I ask that you watch the video in the post as it will introduce you, better than I could do in any other way nor nearly as quickly, to my ex-wife Carole, who died last night of cancer.
Those of you getting this message are a diverse mixture, but by no means an exhaustive one nor even an adequate sampling, of ex-fellow employees and business contacts and, in the BCC, members of the inner group of my local Knoxville social circle. I’d encourage any of you receiving a copy of this message to share it with anyone else that you feel would like to receive it.
I thank you for those tears you may shed in sympathy with our family tonight. There is no greater gift nor any better way for you to comfort us than to allow yourself to feel our pain tonight. Nothing more than that is required.
Thanks to Jimmy and Cathy, I’m “learning to dance in the rain” with a heart full of gratitude to you both, mostly for the gift of your friendship. I read the little book you gave me when I was at the dentist’s office this past week. Its message gives me strength and inspiration, and resolve.
Pete C. if, by some miracle of serendipity that Manpreet simply could not prevent, you actually receive your copy of this message (I had to guess at your address), please forward it to my fellow NA Ops managers. I no longer have access to their address or I wouldn’t have asked it of you. It seems that just as Carole slipped away from me before I knew it, so did my opportunity to say an adequate goodbye to that group before I myself became the “dearly departed.” 😉
Susie, maybe you could make sure, for Pete, that the group gets a copy, since I’m pretty sure you’ll get yours. Thanks.
David S., I hope you have access to all those now in (or formerly in) Indianapolis that might want to receive a copy of this message. And Jim A., you have access to our mutual contacts on other continents who might want to receive this message. Please do me the favor of sharing it with them.
I love you all. You each contributed in a unique way to a wonderful year last year, for which I wish to thank you one and all.
And so with this message, I bid you a fond adieu,
What I failed to say in that note but wish I had, was “Oh and please buy a copy of my book about the experience when it comes out next year.”
Note to self: Remember to add that to my closing whenever I am speaking in public throughout this next year.