Life, Death, Tragedy

One thing that I DID NOT expect in leading a larger and larger team is that you get really exposed to the full cycle of life much more every day.

You get to see things that are inspiringly positive:  

• I met a whole pile of associates joining EMC for the first time as their first job, and their excitement and energy was inspiring!
• I met the south-east asia team in Singpore and loved their passion.
• I just found out on Monday that one of our best SEs (Nga Nguyen) and great friend is pregnant for the first time - and it made me smile and think of when my first daughter was born.   Nga - you ROCK - treasure the experience. and we'll be here for you when you come back!   I want pictures!
• I also get to work with an absolutely great team that challenges me, and inspires me (see pic).   This group is my direct team - the leaders of a great organization of almost 4000 people.. but the WHOLE family of the EMC Presales team (and my broader EMC colleagues) feel like my extended family.   Heck there are a broad tribe of people beyond EMC - at partners, at competitors.

That is all a huge blessing for me.

But, with larger groups of friends, broader sets of lives - there's also more exposure to tragedies - and nothing hits home like people passing unexpectedly.  

This year took Jim Ruddy and severely injured a great colleague, Steve Hunt (see here)

There are two more recently, and I wanted to share.

• Tony Wood was the General Manager of our OEM group, Tony held a vision for OEM that resulted in both consistent contribution to EMC's revenue growth and a readiness for Platform 3.   He was truly a global presence for EMC from Israel to Sweden to Beijing and Hopkinton.   But - beyond that, Tony was a awesome dude.   As he battled health issues that eventually took him, but never beat him - he continued to bring incredible energy, even when others would simply fold up.   It blew me away.  Tony is survived by two daughters, Emily (18) and Olivia (14)  - for which a memorial fund has been set up: http://www.pledgenow.com/tonywood
• Today, I found out that the sister of a colleague unexpectedly passed at the age of 40, leaving 3 young kids.   Tragic.   There is a fund set up to support a family that must be in unbelievable shock and grief.   I can't even imagine.  http://www.gofundme.com/hgy3to

My point isn't to suggest people should be "guilted" into donating - but of course donations are welcome.   My point isn't that these are unique - and while it doesn't take away the pain or make it easy - there are tragedies all around us, and no-one has a monopoly on it - these are all part of the human experience.

Rather, my point is that life is beautiful, every moment is precious, every friend is a treasure.  

None of us knows what is around the corner. 

I'm determined never to let that make me sad or fearful - but rather to make the most of every moment - and be thankful for all experiences.   Be awesome to each other.

Comments

[Trace McQuaig]

You are awesome. Glad to know you Chad.

[Chad Sakac]

@Trace - no dude, you are awesome, and I'm glad to know YOU!

[Rasimmons32]

Nice post! As someone who fought the big C, you realize quickly its all about the people in your life.

[VonSpreacker]

Great post! You are always the voice of EMC technology and direction but with the occasional posts like this you expose the human face of the EMC community including our pain, sadness, love, triumphs, losses and joy! Thank you for showing the world who we are. We are EMC!