It wasn't work, great.
It was my friend that I hadn't spoken to for the new year. I started the conversation like we had so many times before.
"Wassup, man?"
"Happy New Year!"
"How are things?"
"Happy New Year!"
"How are things?"
All these were met with an unusual quietness in response. His next statement has echoed in my head for almost 4 days now.
"Dr. Callaway died last night in his sleep."
My friend is known to tell a joke or two so I responded. He and Dr. Callaway always kid around.
Second, we should cherish the time we have with others. We never know when the journey will end.
Friday night, after visiting with Robert's wife and family. I came home to mine. I hugged them a bit tighter, kiss them a bit longer, and enjoyed the noise just a bit longer.....
May we live our lives with meaning, passion and purpose through the betterment of one another.
Thanks Robert. You will be missed.
"Dr. Callaway died last night in his sleep."
My friend is known to tell a joke or two so I responded. He and Dr. Callaway always kid around.
"Come on man, that's not a nice joke to start the year "
Silence greeted me on the other side of the line. It wasn't a joke. Our friend had gone quietly into the dark night. In that instant of reality, I felt my legs give way. For almost 3 minutes all I could say was "no way" and "wow". It just didn't seem possible...
You see Dr. Callaway was 45 yrs old. Bright, energetic, full of life. He ran a 3 minute mile and ran 10 miles as a warm up. He would challenge you and encourage you in the same breath. His gate told alot about the man. He walked with purpose, thought with purpose, and acted with purpose. If you caught him in the hall and wanted to walk and talk, you had to keep up. If you wanted to discuss with him you had to keep up. He was a man how led with quiet confidence.
He was a man who had a passion for education and a purpose in life. He was a devoted Father and Husband. His wife now must care for three little one's 9,7, and 4 years of age without her best friend.
As my Friday morning continued, I recieved several calls informing me of his passing. It was more evidence of the scope of his impact. As we all mentioned the shockingness of his death, we also spent several more minutes talking about his life, our memories and his impact on our lives. And I guess that is the life lesson.
First, at some point our journey here will come to an end. It is our legacy that will remain. When Robert's children met those that knew him, our greetings will flow with kind words and fond memories of a man who lived his life with meaning and purpose. That is his legacy. What is yours? What is mine. Do we live our lives on purpose? Do we walk with a purpose or just shuffle by?Robert was not perfect, but a great example.
You see Dr. Callaway was 45 yrs old. Bright, energetic, full of life. He ran a 3 minute mile and ran 10 miles as a warm up. He would challenge you and encourage you in the same breath. His gate told alot about the man. He walked with purpose, thought with purpose, and acted with purpose. If you caught him in the hall and wanted to walk and talk, you had to keep up. If you wanted to discuss with him you had to keep up. He was a man how led with quiet confidence.
He was a man who had a passion for education and a purpose in life. He was a devoted Father and Husband. His wife now must care for three little one's 9,7, and 4 years of age without her best friend.
As my Friday morning continued, I recieved several calls informing me of his passing. It was more evidence of the scope of his impact. As we all mentioned the shockingness of his death, we also spent several more minutes talking about his life, our memories and his impact on our lives. And I guess that is the life lesson.
First, at some point our journey here will come to an end. It is our legacy that will remain. When Robert's children met those that knew him, our greetings will flow with kind words and fond memories of a man who lived his life with meaning and purpose. That is his legacy. What is yours? What is mine. Do we live our lives on purpose? Do we walk with a purpose or just shuffle by?Robert was not perfect, but a great example.
Second, we should cherish the time we have with others. We never know when the journey will end.
Friday night, after visiting with Robert's wife and family. I came home to mine. I hugged them a bit tighter, kiss them a bit longer, and enjoyed the noise just a bit longer.....
May we live our lives with meaning, passion and purpose through the betterment of one another.
Thanks Robert. You will be missed.
