Heat

“Spread love everywhere you go.”  Mother Teresa of Calcutta

After dropping off some blueberries at our corporate office, I drive a few miles to McAllister’s Deli on Government Boulevard.  After ordering my food at the counter, I sit down at a small table and take out my iPhone to review emails and other messages. That’s when I notice that a dear friend, whose name I will reveal later, has called two days ago. I have been pretty busy for a few days, so it is now time to catch up on phone calls.

My friend’s wife answers the phone, just as my wife Carol and I do frequently when one of us leaves the room or is separated from our phones. With my unique ‘comical’ standard line, I say, “Is this ______’s secretary?”  She replies, “Just a second Rob.” I can hear other people in the background. She then relates alarming news, “Rob, _______ has had a huge stroke. I will get back to you.”  I quickly find out what hospital before she hangs up.

Momentarily stunned and unable to move, I quickly call Carol to tell her, “______ has had a huge stroke. I am going to the hospital to be with him.  I am right now at . . . (suddenly I can’t think of the name of this restaurant). I am going to tell them to change my order to take out and I am headed to the hospital.” I sense in this moment that I am stunned and not thinking clearly.

Seconds later, my friend’s wife calls back “Rob, he seems to be okay. I am going to go back to his room right now.” As we talk further, it dawns on me that my friend has not had a huge stroke – he had a heat stroke. Through all the clattering sounds of the restaurant, combined by the audible sounds from the hospital, I heard the word ‘huge’ rather than ‘heat.’  He is going to be fine.  (I won’t keep you in suspense any longer).  My friend is Sammy Wilder (Non-Electronic Man). Knowing Sammy and his wife Mary Jo for over 40 years, Carol and I consider them very special friends. (Some of their friends and family read this newsletter, thus my reason for not identifying them until now).

It is now 15 minutes later and a hospital employee is motioning me to go back to his room. Sammy is sitting up in the bed and Mary Jo is in a chair next to him. They are all smiles. It is a good scene.  I share with them how I got the message wrong. And then I share something personal. I tell Sammy that I really must like him a lot because I found myself completely stunned and unable to think clearly when I thought he had experienced a huge stroke. He also shares personally with me. It is an emotional moment.

We continue talking.  Laughter ensues, normal routine when we see each other. All levity aside, the bond with this family, and especially Sammy at that moment, genuine care and love are at the core.  As his doctors come in, I excuse myself to give them some privacy with the medical staff.

As I leave the hospital, I mentally examine what has just happened over the last hour.  A misinterpreted message, followed by some unclear thinking, led to an emotional moment at the hospital.  I tell my friend I care about him, something I have done, maybe only once or twice before in our lives. For many important others, such moments are far too few. What about you?

It feels good. Really good! I must do this more often. I must tell those whom I love . . . that I love them. I cannot wait to do this. It is too important. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear from you? When?

I believe that love is a major success principle.  Do you agree? My definition of success is being and becoming the best at what I am meant to be and do in life. For me, being the person I most want to be, the one I am meant to be, is largely influenced by those I love and who love me.

I am completely and utterly motivated by the thought of succeeding in life because of all the wonderful people who surround me – the people I love and who love me.  It is a great recipe for success.  Love. Be loved.

Today, I will not wait.  Not even a single moment.  Now is the time.

 I am dialing the number . . .

 “________, I love you.