Today as I sat at my desk at work I was staring at the top of my compter monitor. I was thinking of something that I had taped to every monitor I had at work for about 4 years until, one day, it just disappeared. I guess a little backround is needed here.
I used to work for Xerox as a Major Account Representative. My job was to call into the companies that had our copiers or were buying other supplies, like paper or labels or printer cartridges from us, and not only make sure they continued to make those purchases, but also get them to buy new products from us. I had 3 people, who were actually visiting these accounts, working with me. It was a great gig and I developed many professional relationships and got to become friends with many of my contacts, even though I never met any of them in person.
One day I was having a particularly bad day and those of you who know me know that I'm not real good at hiding that. One of my customers happened to pick up on my mood and told me to hang in there that it would get better. I gave her a polite " I know, thanks" and we said our good byes.
About 3 days later I got to work and there was a package on my desk from my customer. I opened it up and, much to my surprise, I found a pair of dice taped together so that no matter how you looked at it, it showed 7. I saw the note that was in there, and while I don't remember exactly what it said, the jist of it was if you just keep rolling the dice, eventually you will get 7 and win. No matter how bad things get, it WILL get better.
I laughed, called her to thank her for the thought, and actually managed to sell something at the same time. I put the dice, still taped together,back in the envelope and tossed it in my drawer and pretty much forgot about it. Until 8 years ago today. The return address on the envelope was 1 World Trade Center.
As I sat watching the towers fall, I thought of all of the people in those buildings that I had spoken to and developed relationships with over a couple of years. I wondered if they made it out. I wondered what their families, and the families of the firefighters and paramedics and police officers, must be going through.
After a day off, I went back to work. I was to the point of not trying to sell anything, rather just making sure all of my contacts were OK. I called a branch office looking for the lady who sent me the dice and I was told that she didn't make it out before the buildings fell. That was the first time I cried about what happened on that day. I thought about the small gift she had sent me, opened my drawer and pulled the dice out. All I saw was 7's.
I decided then that, as a tribute to her, I would keep those dice taped to my monitor to remind me that no matter what happens, live life to the fullest, like she did, and try to make someone's day better everyday.
One year later I finally got to put a face with the name as I saw her picture on the screen remembering those who lost their lives that day. Hers was not the only name I recognized that day, but the one that sticks with me even now.
Don't weep for those who passed that day. Honor them by doing the things they can no longer do. Hug your child, tell someone you love them, open a door for a stranger. Honor her, and all of those who died that day, by living life to the fullest.
