You know that feeling, bittersweet memories. Looking back over the years and reminiscing.
Yesterday, my former co-worker and friend Louise called me to let me know that one of our supervisors from the Post Office had passed away. His name was Howard.
Howard was a great guy, just a few years older than me. He brought a ray of sunshine to our dark work environment. He was fun, loved to joke and laugh. He was fair. Having a fair boss makes a huge difference in your outlook at work.
Howard was a husband and father. I know that this loss is great for them, I’m grieved for his wife and kids.
Working at the post office for my first three years was no picnic. There was always someone stirring the pot, making the clerks mad at the carriers or inner fighting in our own ranks, so much drama in efforts to keep us occupied and off of management’s back. Add to that the nonsense of the union, and the red tape and bureaucracy of government regulations, oh yeah, and a tyrant for a boss, and you can imagine it wasn’t a nice place to work. Howard made it bearable for me and others. He brought a fresh perspective. He didn’t make decisions solely based on his own advancement or what would look good to his boss. I respect him for that. He was a peacemaker.
Howard died just a few days after my Dad did, on April 6. I think of his kids. They would be teens by now. How they must feel, loosing their Dad unexpectedly and during such a formative time in their life. My heart aches for them, I know that pain.
I think of his wife Lynette. Loosing a spouse that you genuinely loved and expected to live out your days with, I can’t imagine what that feels like. My heart aches for her, but I have not known that kind of pain.
Some people come into our lives for only a short period of time. But they leave a lasting impression on us. Howard was one of those people in my life.
Rest peacefully my friend.
Alaska on my mind... 