Words for a Friend
Some sad words from me today. Last week a longtime work colleague and friend of mine committed suicide. It was a true shock. This was from someone I had known to usually be upbeat and always helpful and caring.
When you think about suicide, you usually think of some confused and depressed teenager, someone who is facing great turmoil in their personal life, or someone who must face great pain in the near future. I don’t think any of these apply to ‘Friend’.
Friend was a genuinely caring man, nearing retirement, surrounded by many people who cared about him. He was doing a job he loved but that could be emotionally traumatic. I respected Friend and consider many of his traits worth emulating. Do I need to reevaluate my viewpoint because of his purposeful demise?
Friend devoted much of his life to helping those who have literally just gone through a disaster. Additionally, he spent his days supporting a wide range of volunteers. Together, they chose to respond and help those who have lived through a disaster. Friend was a true American Red Cross relief provider.
I spent three years working closely with Friend on these tasks. It was very rewarding as well as exhausting at times. I am a planner and a thinker — Friend was able to connect with a person and have that person feel welcome and at ease. We made a very good team.
Friend regularly brought his mischievous sense of humor into the most serious meetings and made everyone a little happier. Why mischievous? Well the humor was funny but also pointed. Friend believed very strongly in his program and was a fierce proponent and defender for his people and the clients we served. Bravo Friend, thank you for keeping us focused.
When I think of the Disaster Action Team, I think of Friend. That connection will stay with me for a long time and I think Friend would approve of being connected to the DAT. I wish the DAT well in overcoming this great loss to the program and will provide any support I am able.
Do I need to reevaluate my viewpoint on some of Friend’s traits that I thought worthy of emulation? No, those traits are valuable and highly sought after. They include: being upbeat in difficult situations, caring about people and letting it show, defending and propounding what you believe is right, reaching out to help those who need it most, being a good friend, and using words that express your enthusiasm.
I love you Steve and will miss you deeply.
