For those of you who know who Dar Williams is, you'll recognize the line "sometimes, life gives us lessons sent in ridiculous packaging". I have found these words resonating in my ears all week. One week ago today, our VP of Marketing called a very odd, very immediate impromptu meeting. The meeting request was sent to everyone in marketing, was marked urgent and said that no personnel would be excused.
After 15 minutes of sitting and wondering what in the world was going on, our VP walked in, looking quite shaken. For anyone who knows our VP, Allen, this is VERY unusual for him; he is a very put-together person. He sat down and told us all that he had some very bad news. Our beloved CMO, Kevin McCallum had passed away very suddenly and very early that morning. Everyone in the room was (for lack of a better word) shocked. Kevin was the picture of health, confidence and strength.
Allen hesitated to give more information, only that the way he died was not an accident and it was not related to his health. Over the following few days, information trickled down slowly, our entire department was and still is in a state of shock. I LOVE 1-800 CONTACTS, ask anyone I know, they will all tell you what a fantastic company it is to work for. I suppose the down side of working for a company who consistently wins "The Best Company To Work For: Utah Division" is that you become extremely close to everyone you work with, which in turn can make times like this VERY emotional. Our department rarely goes a week without going out to lunch with each other or celebrating a birthday, graduation or some other special occasion. This place really takes care of it's people and the employees in return give 110%.
Over the days following Kevin's passing, we as a department, made it our goal to do everything we could for the family. We sifted through hundreds of pictures (the family had sent over) to put together a DVD and other keepsakes for the funeral and family. Our lead designer Bruce put in some very, very long hours designing Kevin's funeral program. On Friday, we all arrived early to help put the programs together.
At the memorial service on Friday (the actual burial is taking place today in Georgia), our CEO Jonathan gave a very emotional and moving talk. He told a very funny and "very Kevin" story about an NBA finals game they'd gone to. Then Jonathan spoke about what an incredible hero, example and teacher Kevin had been and that in his passing, he'd taught Jonathan one final lesson: cherish those close to you. His (Jonathans) words that have now been etched into my memory were: "This past week I have told my wife I love her a few more times a day and I've held my kids a little longer each time I hug them."
This brings me back to the beginning. It's so true that life will always send us lessons sent in RIDICULOUS packaging. However ridiculous the packaging was, I will never forget the importance of letting those I care about know that they are loved and that they're never alone. With that in mind, I'd like to send one last "Thank you for everything Kevin" into the universe and remind everyone: I love you & you are not alone!
Thank you for everything Kevin!
After 15 minutes of sitting and wondering what in the world was going on, our VP walked in, looking quite shaken. For anyone who knows our VP, Allen, this is VERY unusual for him; he is a very put-together person. He sat down and told us all that he had some very bad news. Our beloved CMO, Kevin McCallum had passed away very suddenly and very early that morning. Everyone in the room was (for lack of a better word) shocked. Kevin was the picture of health, confidence and strength.
Allen hesitated to give more information, only that the way he died was not an accident and it was not related to his health. Over the following few days, information trickled down slowly, our entire department was and still is in a state of shock. I LOVE 1-800 CONTACTS, ask anyone I know, they will all tell you what a fantastic company it is to work for. I suppose the down side of working for a company who consistently wins "The Best Company To Work For: Utah Division" is that you become extremely close to everyone you work with, which in turn can make times like this VERY emotional. Our department rarely goes a week without going out to lunch with each other or celebrating a birthday, graduation or some other special occasion. This place really takes care of it's people and the employees in return give 110%.
Over the days following Kevin's passing, we as a department, made it our goal to do everything we could for the family. We sifted through hundreds of pictures (the family had sent over) to put together a DVD and other keepsakes for the funeral and family. Our lead designer Bruce put in some very, very long hours designing Kevin's funeral program. On Friday, we all arrived early to help put the programs together.
At the memorial service on Friday (the actual burial is taking place today in Georgia), our CEO Jonathan gave a very emotional and moving talk. He told a very funny and "very Kevin" story about an NBA finals game they'd gone to. Then Jonathan spoke about what an incredible hero, example and teacher Kevin had been and that in his passing, he'd taught Jonathan one final lesson: cherish those close to you. His (Jonathans) words that have now been etched into my memory were: "This past week I have told my wife I love her a few more times a day and I've held my kids a little longer each time I hug them."
This brings me back to the beginning. It's so true that life will always send us lessons sent in RIDICULOUS packaging. However ridiculous the packaging was, I will never forget the importance of letting those I care about know that they are loved and that they're never alone. With that in mind, I'd like to send one last "Thank you for everything Kevin" into the universe and remind everyone: I love you & you are not alone!
Thank you for everything Kevin!
