Early in 2018, I needed help in my business and at home. Jonathan and I had known each other for many years through dance: he had been an instructor at two different dance studios. He was active in the wedding industry, teaching couples to dance and being a DJ at events. I hadn’t seen him for some time, and he came back into my life at just the right moment for both of us.
Jonathan could do it all: everything from hanging a wall monitor for my laptop to ripping up and repairing my kitchen floor so a new dishwasher could be installed. At the time he started working for me, I had no idea about his many skills, and what an asset he would become.
We started small, and over and over he assumed more tasks. From calling contacts to update their information to helping me with eBay. If I needed digital anything, he was the guy. You may have spoken to him at some point, so I want you to know a little about him.
I was working on a new book and decided to include graphics: Jonathan created just the right memes for what I wanted to say. I wanted to send out personalized emails with my autoresponder: Jonathan taught himself how to do it. He was my go-to person for technical computer skills, and follow up calls to update contact addresses so we could send cards, and the minibuk version of my book, Strategic Follow Up. We were well on our way to achieving the goals I had set for 2019, and having fun in the process.
In addition, he had joined me in SendOutCards, and the last time we worked together showed me cards he created for people he supervised at the “Lightning in a Bottle Music and Arts Festival.” The business was opening up for him, and he was looking forward to the SOC Convention in August. I thanked him for the recent birthday card he’d sent me, and as he left, gave him a big hug. It would be the last time. Jonathan died in a freak auto accident two days later.
In April, I had sent him a card:
“Dear Jonathan, If I don’t say it often enough, thanks for all you do. I appreciate you. I look forward to Tuesdays when we work together, and I know the most recent book would not have been possible without your help. Kaaren”
In Jonathan’s honor, the next book will be dedicated to him. It is part of his personal legacy, and I couldn’t have done it without him.
As Kody Bateman reminds us, act on your promptings, and let people know you love them. Do it now.
