Simon T Bailey’s Blog

This past weekend I attended the funeral of the CFO for one of my largest consulting clients. After battling cancer for four years, his body finally succumbed to this deadly disease at the young age of 56. He left behind a wife of 16 years and three daughters all under the age of 12. As you can imagine, it was a very solemn time as 200 people celebrated his life.

I sat listening to the CEO reminisce about the times he played golf and racquet ball with the CFO and how he had an inner drive to win. He never quit until he won, and he had fun doing it. At one point, the CEO broke down and, struggling, said, “I didn’t just lose a business colleague; I lost a friend – a true man who made a difference.” Well you could’ve heard a pin drop.

During the memorial service, they showed a 10 minute video of this man’s life. In each of the pictures he was either holding one of his daughters, taking them for a walk, celebrating their birthday or holding them in his arms as they napped on his shoulder. It was very moving.

The man’s younger brother shared a story about their childhood and how they were raised. He said that his brother was a man of integrity and honesty. He would do whatever he could to help others, but at the end of the day, he wanted to make sure that everything was done in decency and in order. Then the minister got up to make the final remarks and said, “[This man’s] life was all about creating memories that will forever be etched in the minds of his wife and daughters. His life was in balance.”

I sat there thinking…“I wonder what people will say about me when I go to the other side.” It was a wakeup call for me.

What will people say about you when you are resting in your casket? Are you creating memories that will live on long after you’re gone or is your entire existence focused on the bottom line?

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