That phone call...

Was wrapping up a meeting and HR called.  They never call... they IM you first.  Something was up.

After an afternoon of swirl with some assumptions and expectations... Got another call.  This time during dinner and on my personal cell.  This time instead of HR, was my VP.  

"I've got some bad news to deliver."  

(No.  No no no!! Don't say it.)

"XXXXX has past away."

(NO!!!! This can't be real!!!!). 

In my mind... I thought that person may have had a stroke... maybe a mild heart attack.  Something that happens when you're around your late 40's / early 50's... and it just happens.  But you get better after a health scare and things get back to normal.

I was shocked.  

Just last week.. we were in meetings together.  We broke bread.  We even went out to dinner to talk about vacation... kids... life outside of work.  Ironically... this person even mentioned that their heart rate has been going up and needed to check it out.

I was shocked.  I didn't know how to act.  Gave my family a hug.  Cherish who I have.  I knelt down... said a prayer for the family.  Who knows what they're going through.

Then I texted my colleagues and friends, telling them if they want to talk, I'm here to listen.

Then I went for a walk.  I needed to "do something."  And about 0.25 mile into my walk... I looked up at the blue sky.  And uncontrollably uttered the words, "Thanks, XXXXX."  

Will wait till more details to come while continuing to process.