See, on the first anniversary of 9/11, I was in Kingston, Ontario on business. I will never forget that day. Looking out of the hotel window at the Canadian Customs House across the street and watching as they lowered the Canadian flag to half-mast.

As we went into the office that morning, I remember many words of condolence and grief. Many of our Canadian coworkers were genuinely grieved by those events.

Later that night, I watched special new coverage on the CBC. They talked about the hospitality of cities like Gander who housed thousands of displaced travelers as jet after jet was grounded outside of the US.

As I sit here on the tenth anniversary of that horrific day, I do as I have done every year since, I say to my friends north of the border…

THANK YOU!

You taught the world what it means to be a neighbor.

Inside the front cover of mine, Mom wrote a note:

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” – 3 John 4 (KJV)

As a kid, I understood this to mean, “Live right and make Momma proud.”  Yet, now, as the father of two kids, while I still understand it that way, I also understand it quite differently.

As I watch my own kids, and pray that they grow up to walk in truth, I understand what else Mom was saying with that inscription.  There is something amazingly special about seeing your children walking in truth.

I watch my kids with their hearts turned to God, and, through the pride of a parent, learn the lesson that Jesus tried to teach His disciples – “a little child shall lead them.”

Yesterday morning, cesimants sat in my lap as I read Proverbs 24 and my daily Psalms readings (19, 91, 121 and 139).  As I read them out loud, cesimants would mimic the words.  So, together we memorized Psalm 121:2a (“My help comes from YHWH”).  It’s amazing to hear him say that, and know that he’s saying a prayer that millions have been saying for thousands of years.  It’s even more amazing to see him walking in truth.

Week-in and week-out, we get to watch eksimants worship, quote scripture, praise God, etc.  Last night after a 12 hour day of serving at church, we pulled back in the church parking lot to pick up our other vehicle.  I said, “we’re back at the church, let’s go worship again.”  eksimants quickly replied, “Ok!  We should!”

So, Mom, I didn’t fully understand 31 or so years ago when I first read that inscription what you were saying, but I do now.  Thank you for raising us up to walk in truth.

sksimants, thank you for raising our children to walk in truth!  While I hate to think of them growing up, I can’t wait to see how God uses them and the things you instill in them every day.

Below are two videos of my own kids.  First, is cesimants praising God, and second is eksimants quoting Philippians 4:4-13, 19-20.

mdsimants’ Mom — Mom is a rock.  She sacrificed enormously to make sure us boys had everything we needed and were prepared to be successful.  She instilled in us a work ethic that pushed us to work hard.  She taught us to pray.  She taught us faith.

BWC — Was the first minister from whom I truly learned to think openly about matters of faith.  He helped to unlock the box within which I had locked my belief system.

eksimants — You’re teaching me everyday how to be a better person.  I’ve learned how to love unconditionally.  I hope that I’m being the example you and cesimants need.  You’re teaching me to be a sponge.  You and your brother have taught me to explore everything, and that it is the best way to learn.

DB — Music is your passion.  You taught me to listen intently to the notes (both actual and figurative) played.

JH — Music is your passion.  You taught me to listen intently to the notes (both actual and figurative) not played.

Grandpa McD — You were a great man.  I hope that I can be half the man that you were.

BM – You taught me to be there when needed.  Thanks for the Olive Garden after Steroid treatments!  Thanks for the B.  I still owe you a call.

sksimants — You are the biggest influence in my life.  You showed me how to believe in myself.  You showed me how to be bigger than the circumstances.  You’ve been the rock that is the foundation of this household.  You believe in me, and let me be me.  Thank you for keeping it all together.  I love you.

In a way, everyone of you, my friends, have influenced some element of my life.  The relationships that I have help to shape my thoughts, beliefs, experiences, and understanding of the world.  I appreciate all the time that we have spent together — in real or virtual worlds, and hope that I have been a positive influence on each of you.

And the next several blogs, will be less ‘heady’.

BH — You taught me that no matter how hard the row might be to hoe, to always do it with kindness, respect, and a smile.  I remember our first trip together to VAB.  You were only a few days into your role, but it was evident that you truly cared.  You understood the importance of putting the employees first — even above the customer.  You understood what it meant to shake a person’s hand and say that you appreciated the work they were doing.  You told jokes in such a dry manner that some wondered if you were joking.  It didn’t take long for you to be in the role before you had your team in a place where they would sacrifice anything to achieve the vision you had established for them.  Most importantly, you taught us that by partnering with your team — no matter how far down the ladder they may be — you can lead them to greatness.  You learned my daughters name on the first day we met.  You were one of the first to send a message on congratulations when my son was born — even though we had only known each other a few days.  When eksimants came to the office with me on Take Your Daughter To Work Day, you came to my desk specifically to meet her.  You were a true diamond.  You were taken from us too soon.  May you rest in peace.  I miss you.  I thank you.

JC — It is easy for me to say that you were easily the best boss that I have ever had.  You weren’t afraid to call me out when I was wrong, but take up for me at the same time.  You knew how to guard your people, correct them, and move on.  From you I learned an immense amount about finance.  It was an area that I had dabbled in previously, yet you made me dig in and learn it from top to bottom.  You taught me to look at things from a dollars and cents perspective, yet also to never lose sight of what made the most sense — people.  You taught me that every decision we made in the “ivory tower” would have a lasting effect on those in the field.  You taught me to respect the field.  You sent me on the road to mend bridges.  I appreciate the trust you put in me in that capacity.  I hope I did you proud.  Finally, by example, you taught me to know when to say, “It’s time to go.”  I didn’t understand at the time why you would do that, but in hindsight I do.  I miss our building 6 staff meetings, and our Starbucks runs.  Thank you for your leadership.

MVD — You taught me a lot about things that I never thought to learn about.  You taught me that life was too short to be upset by mundane things.  You taught me not to be afraid to take a break.  Thank you.

DD — You are brilliant.  You never missed a trick.  Your sense of humor, though, served to place everyone you came in contact with on an equal footing.  I learned a multitude of lessons from you.  Many, you didn’t even know you were teaching.  You taught the importance of family (I never will forget having lunch with you and your son in the cafeteria).  You led by example.  Decisions came quickly, but not without seeking counsel and wisdom.  You listened.  Thank you for leading.  I hope that I followed well.

VCP — You brought me here.  You taught me the ways of the “blue”.  You taught me to look for the obvious, and not to discount it.  You taught me to take chances on people.  You taught me how to communicate with C-suites.  You became a friend to sksimants and eksimants.  eksimants loves talking about you even to this day.   Thank you.

DL — The first time we traveled together, I remember you walking through the call center.  You were way behind schedule.  You had a million things going on.  You ignored your phone and blackberry.  You stopped and talked to front-line representative after front-line representative.  You listened intently to what they were saying to you.  You listened intently to what customers were saying to them.  Through those interactions, you taught me that no matter what level you are on, or how busy you are, you have to stop and talk to the front-line.  Otherwise, you’ll miss the critical component of what the customer’s perception of the organization really is.  You taught me to keep my message simple.  Tell the story in a short and concise a time as possible, and move on.  You taught me to seek out the opinions of your team, make a decision, and then execute.  You taught me that life wasn’t as serious as many of us tried to make it.  You taught me the importance of being approachable.  You taught me that deciding to close a location and displace a portion of the workforce should be the most difficult job you ever do.  Thank you for your leadership.  Thank you for the education.  Thank you.

CT — You are easily the nicest man that I have ever met.  You taught me to fight for your employees — and to fight hard.  You taught me that you have to do hard things in business, but you can’t let them jade you.  You taught me to work decent hours, and know how to turn off.  You taught me that if you put the right team in place, then you didn’t have to spend a lot of time managing them and could focus on expanding their horizons.  You taught me to keep a level head when someone screws up.  Thank you.

JN — Many miles.  Many airplanes.  A few gin-and-tonics.  Many great memories.  Dirt storms, the border, bar-b-que ribs.  You taught me to be a friend.  You taught me that it was ok to take chances on people — even when they were not the popular choice.  You introduced me to the business leadership examples of CostCo, Starbucks, and Howard Schulz.  I never will forget our many conversations over coffee, drinks, or in airports of lessons that could be learned from those organizations and people.  Thank you.

The time that I spent working with each of you is precious to me.  I am so very appreciative of the inputs that you had in my professional life, and know that I am a better business-person because I knew you.  Each of you are key in the formation of my opinions and beliefs about how business should operate, and how it should treat its employees.  I hope that I followed half as well as you led.  Thank you all.