For Ross

I was shocked this morning when we were called to a brief meeting. It wasn't the meeting, we have those once a week. It was because the only item on the agenda was that one of my co-workers had passed away yesterday. Ross had been away from work for, I don't know, a month or so. He had skin cancer and was getting treatment was all I heard. There was a card passed around for him when his friends at work heard he was getting down on his prospects. His sister had passed from the same thing. I signed it and I expected to see him not too long after that because he wasn't old or unhealthy looking the last time I saw him. He was probably in his fourties. He came to our office after spending some time in another location for the same company, doing a different job. I remember spending a week with him, training him, and I remember how swamped he felt. He wasn't sure he'd stay. But stay he did. He thanked me for the training long after it was done. I'm now on the list as available to train new staff, perhaps because of his encouragement. He loved hockey and was always talking about the players and the game, even in August. He always smiled at you and said hello. He was older than I and we didn't hang out together. I can't say I knew him well. I think he leaves some kids behind. I can't quite believe it. Reach for the stars while you can.