LIFE IS INTERESTING

LIFE IS INTERESTING

Life is very interesting as you all know. After a long, hard fought battle, my dad passed away last month. And then a week later, we welcomed our two new grandchildren, Jude and his sister Veda. To say the least, August was quite the roller coaster of emotions. It was filled with sadness, great joy, and a lot of time reflecting and taking stock of my own life. At both points you see how precious and beautiful life is. Seeing the faces of our beautiful grandchildren, and knowing our daughter was safe and healthy was just incredible. Knowing my dad wasn’t suffering any longer was very sad, but it came with a great sense of relief also.

At my dad’s service, it was great seeing relatives I hadn’t seen in many years. It was also great hearing all of their stories about him. Stories I had never heard. Several of his previous employees came up to tell stories about him. Many were grateful that he gave them a job and opportunity to better themselves. One had asked to borrow money from him, which he said no to. Instead, he told him to show up at his plant the next morning and he would have a clean uniform and a job waiting for him. He taught them how to fish, taught them a trade that would forever change their life. As I listened to these wonderful stories, I realized there was this whole side of him I hadn’t really known. It was a great experience and I’m very thankful for it.

Dad taught us many things about life. He gave me the passion and drive to be a successful businessperson and entrepreneur. I saw the kindness and respect he treated others with. I watched and listened intently as he delivered quotes and shrewdly negotiated deals with prospects. He taught us how to build, use tools and make things with our own hands. He constantly reminded us that we could accomplish and do anything. Dad would tell us emphatically that he could do anything and we believed him. His confidence in himself, ultimately gave us the confidence and belief that we could as well. Once we asked him if he could fly a plane, at which point he said with great confidence, “I know for a fact I can fly that plane. Give me a few minutes in the cockpit and I can fly it!” I still believe he could have gotten it off the ground.

When I was a teenager, every Sunday he would give me a section of the Detroit Free Press. It was about dressing for success and ways to be a more successful in business. He somehow knew I was destined to be a businessperson and not work in his plant in Detroit making auto parts. I read and devoured every word in that column and practiced and used every piece of advice. It’s funny how those little things have a huge impact on your life and the direction it can take you in. That ultimately introduced me to business associates and friends who were into health, fitness and running. Who would have known, maybe he did.

He was one of the hardest working people I’ve ever known. My brother and I liked to watch him work when we were young boys. I’ll never forget watching him bust up a concrete sidewalk one Saturday morning.  We watched as he raised the heavy sledge hammer over his head and let it drop. I could hear the breath leave his body upon impact. When it landed, it did so with a thud that shook the earth. I remember the first blow, and as hard as it was, it barely made a crack or a chip. Then he delivered the next blow and it chipped a little more. This continued for several more uninterrupted, flawlessly delivered blows. And then it happened, the crack grew, large pieces of jagged concrete were forming and eventually those pieces became smaller more manageable pieces. This is when I first realized what hard work was.  I knew I wanted to work that hard, I wanted to work as hard as Dad. As the work continued, sweat started rolling down his face. Eventually the sweat started dripping from the end of his nose. I wanted to work that hard and sweat just like that one day.

I often think about that moment and it’s become somewhat of a metaphor for my life.  Most things in life require a lot effort if you want to be successful and reach your goals. You have to keep raising the hammer and letting it drop repeatedly. It’s that consistent hard work, grit and determination that gets the job done and ultimately to your end goal. I try to keep this in mind daily, and especially while running and training.  Last night at our training run, we were scheduled for six miles of bridge repeats. The thought was daunting and I really didn’t want to do it. But I knew if I wanted to reach my marathon goal, I needed to stick to the plan. I just kept dropping the hammer and moving forward knowing I would get it done. It turned out to be a great run and I really enjoyed it. As hard as it was, I felt very accomplished, which is what running and being active does for us. That’s the payoff we work so hard for.

As I reflected on his life, I now see the many chess moves he made for my benefit. Had it not been for those moves, I most certainly wouldn’t be where I am today. As it happens, I’m blessed with beautiful children, now grandchildren, and an incredible wife. And I’m lucky enough to be living my dream and doing something I’m incredibly passionate about and love.

Life moves on and time is flying by faster than any of us can imagine. Keep your dreams and goals close and in clear view. Drop that hammer hard and often and you can accomplish anything. We’ll see you out there.

Stay safe, healthy and happy,

Edgar