longer.blue

Ever had something you really wanted to do but had no idea how to figure it out? I’ve thought so many times about a guy I used to slightly know, back in the 80’s, who was remarkable. He lit up the room just by walking in the door. Everybody felt it. His energy made the sun shine even on rainy days. He was my manager’s friend & stopped by occasionally to visit him. Everybody was happy to see Kip. I had moved on to another company when I heard that Kip had dropped dead from a brain aneurysm at 41. I had a really rotten client at the time, and my first thought was: “Oh, no God. Not Kip!! Take Bob Leonard!!” Seriously, that was my reaction. I didn’t really “know” Kip, but I knew he had a lovely wife and two cute little kids. Didn’t know him well enough to invite myself to his funeral, but I always wished I had sent a card or somehow let them know how we all knew he was special and he would never be forgotten. He had made the world better just by being himself. Well, today, I decided to google him, even though I had no idea how to spell his last name, guessing it’s Czech or Slovak. I had tried off & on over the years with no luck, but today up popped his FATHER’S obituary, who died 20 years after his son. He also sounds like an exceptionally good man. Not surprising!! From there, I found Kip’s gravestone and date of death, and a place to write a memorial. I don’t know if his family will notice it, but I’m so happy to have had the chance to tell them how he’s remembered. Being a person who makes the world better by simply walking in the door, before even uttering a word, is such an extraordinary gift and ability. I will never forget him. RIP, Kip Potucek, one in a million. ❤️