I received an email overnight from a funeral home where a colleague was waked six years ago. I've noticed recently, if you leave a tribute on the obituary, you'll receive a yearly reminder of the death notice.
This guy was the desk manager for the first company that I worked for at the Board of Trade. He was a very personable guy that treated people well and was constructive at his job.
Mike was twelve years older than me and was in his mid-thirties when we worked together. He was recently divorced with two young children. To me, he was an adult closer to my parents' age than mine at the time. Twelve years is a huge gap for a kid in his early twenties.
Mike was an Ohio State guy and we hit it off when I told him that I met Coach Hayes when I was eleven. He was also a big Richard Nixon fan, so we had a lot in common.
We worked together for a short time and went our separate ways. Mike went to work for another grain company and I moved to the Bond room.
I have lost several more colleagues since Mike passed on and will lose many more in the coming years. I remember when my dad was about the age that I am right now. It hit him hard and made him realize how quickly our years pass. Thirty years later, it hits me hard and makes me realize how quickly my career flew by....
I was given the option to unsubscribe from future emails from the funeral home. I didn't check that box. Seeing Mike Jennings' obituary reminds me how far I've walked and how much closer I am to resting under an eternal shade tree.
It was seventy-two degrees when I woke up this morning. It is forecasted to be forty-six when I wake up on Wednesday...
....April in Chicagoland, a place where spring can feel like a rollercoaster.
It's Tuesday and I'm ready for a daydream
