David Vance SubstackRead More
I had a tough conversation today.
I phoned up to make arrangements to go and visit an elderly frail friend. He was on kidney dialysis three times a week so things weren’t good. His wife answered. I asked how she was and was in the process suggesting when might be convenient for me to go and see her and him.
“He died in March, David”.
I was shocked and just gasped, “I am so sorry”
What can you say?
My heart sank. He and I had spoken last Autumn and I promised him I would visit him
I understand he took seriously unwell in December and died in March. But five months have passed and I did not know he had passed.
He was in his 90’s but had been the first guy to employ me back in February 1983. I worked under his direction for five years and he was the ONLY “Boss” I ever liked. Not that many years after, I started my own company and never answered to anyone again. But in those five years, I learned so much. I was a gauche 23 year old when I joined the large company concerned and a group of five of us reported to him. He taught me simple things like the importance of punctuality and accuracy. I had a company car and he told me it must be spotlessly clean. Ever since, all my cars are clean inside and outside.
Many decades passed since then but we kept in touch. We would meet up for a coffee and reminisce.
He lived a full life.
I will miss our phone calls. I read his obituary today through bleary eyes, still shocked.
I am writing this to try and get the pain out of me at his loss.
Time passes and takes away so much – but all my memories remain.
