My First Boss

He was my first boss.

Fresh out of college he gave me a job in his PR firm.  I showed up for my interview in shorts and a T shirt.  What was I thinking?!  Yet, he gave me a chance.

I learned about deadlines, client changes, customer service.  I learned that while there is no such thing as bad PR, there is such a thing as a great PR person.  He was the consummate professional and the consummate gentleman.  He bought me my first business suit.

Over time, he decided to move to the west coast.  He kept me on a retainer and put me in charge of the New York business.  I ran the office out of my apartment.  I had a copy machine in my closet to crank out the press releases.  Fast forward — I went into Special Events.  Then started my own events company.

He retired.  He got older — quickly.  We stayed in touch — mostly through his incredible letters, whenever possible — with visits.  He let me know when more of his friends died. His physical health declined.   He had no funds left — and no family. No one.  He appointed me his Power of Attorney.  He moved to an assisted living center in DC.  Then his mind started to go.

We moved him to a nursing home twenty minutes away so we could be closer.   My mentor, my friend helped me become an adult.  Now it was my turn to help him through old age.   He was always so busy working that he never really planned for his future. And when he stopped working, he tried to live in the moment and not worry about the next day.

Life is a series of events.  As event producers, we try to plan everything.  But how many of us have planned for our future?  Or are we just busy planning the next event?

Set aside time to really look at what lies ahead.  For you, for your family and for your loved ones.   It’s easier to have the difficult conversations early.  And while plans can change, it’s comforting to know that at least you have a plan.  You would never go on site without a running order for the event — why would you want to go through life that way?

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