A Pause to Remember - Dispatch from Blue Bike

Dearest Clients, Friends, and Collaborators, 

I am writing this evening with a sad announcement. After a successful brain tumor removal, splenectomy, and two weeks of rapid progress, my father and best friend in so many ways, Jeffry L Gion, was readmitted to Georgetown for massive pulmonary swelling and blood clots (pulmonary emboli) in both lungs. He passed away in a medically induced coma on Saturday, January 18, with my mom and I in his bed, listening to his favorite music, and transitioning him into death with all of the love in our hearts. 

He fought hard in the hospital for three weeks. Long enough to spend another day watching cartoons with my daughter, long enough to bid me farewell on my birthday trip, long enough to kiss my mom and tell her he loved her one last time. 

When the chaplain asked me what he would say 'right now,' as we prepared our last goodbyes, I told her he would absolutely, without a doubt, say: "I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

Grateful for everything, hardly asking for anything for himself, hardworking, modest living, and wise well beyond any formal education - and loved by so many for his dry wit and good advice - he was exceptional. 

We spoke nearly every day for the past two decades, and his loss...there isn't a word for it. I'm sure I will continue to reference him and his wisdom for the rest of my life (so be prepared if you continue to work with me!). 

I will be back to work on Thursday of this week and through the end of next week, but will be taking my dad's ashes back to his home in Oregon at the first of February and will be only online limited hours through mid-month. 

Since I was a child, my dad always told me that I just needed to "just be the boss." He knew I would forever strain against having overlords and supervisors. He pushed me to take risks. He was thrust into a career as a freight train conductor when he was in his 20s, and couldn't read at a 12th grade level until he was in his 30s, so he encouraged me to go, go, go and live, live, live. He's always been my biggest fan and supporter. 

Last year, when I told him that I was either getting a "real job" or hiring a consultant to grow my solo practice into a "company," he said, "What kind of 'real job' would you want?" 

"I don't know. I read the job descriptions online and they make me cringe." 

"Well, don't even apply at the Power Company if you really want to work at the Post Office," he said for the 1,000th time. 

"Right, D. You're right," I said.

"Yes, and not only am I right, but I get better looking every day," he said. 

Oh, man. writing that brings me to tears. He was right - Blue Bike is my 'Post Office.' I love my work and can't wait to give it more love, time, and attention. But right now I'm pausing to remember the luckiest man in the world. 

Thank you for your continued support and patience,

-hh