Note to my friends: My many friends and long-time professional acquaintances who receive these posts will be wondering why I have been radio silent for nearly two months. Pamela and I experienced every parent’s nightmare; we lost our beautiful daughter Katie in late May after sudden and irreversible liver failure. COVID-19 was not the cause but travel restrictions and locked-down hospitals made it much more difficult to deal with. This is the first time I have had the courage to write about it.
Katie was just 37 years old. She was the kind, generous, and respectful to everyone. She was a voracious reader and a prolific writer. She loved her work teaching special needs children with a passion. Losing Katie was a devastating blow to our family. But we have decided that Katie would want us to use all of our energies in positive ways so I have picked up my pen again to help you make sense of today’s extraordinarily challenging environment. I will begin posting pieces again tomorrow.
Stay safe and hug your children tonight. They are the only thing that really matters.
JR
Clyde, it is so great to hear from you. I remember our days working together so well. Deborah–the best partner a man could ever have–is now Dean of the business school at William and Mary. I will connect the three of us in an email so we can catch up.
warm regards,
John
Thank you for your kind words of condolence, Bill. Katie lived her life in a way that made me proud every day. Now we will do our best to honor her memory.
John
John, I had no idea you are still with us. We were good friends in Chicago. You & Debrah autographed “Rust to Riches” for me.
I note you sere in China. I lived in Beijing for almost 3 years and have been married to a wonderful wife from Shanghai for 30 years.
We live in Bonita Springs, FL now.
Would love to hear from you.
Clyde (Dickey)
Prayers to you and your family. So sorry to hear the news of your daughter.