The past two weeks have been a serious wake up call. It all started with the passing of a friend. He started out as a boss, moved on to become a mentor and furthermore to someone I could call a friend.
He will always remain, no matter who else comes along, my favorite boss I could have been blessed to have in this world. To me, a good boss is someone who listens to their employees, backs them when it's needed, teaches them lessons whenever possible all while never ever making your employee look or feel as if they are beneath you. He never, not once, made me regret any decisions, good or bad, I made over the course of my tenure in his employ. Granted we both worked for a bigger organization and often had to answer to a higher authority, but no matter what he would be there for me when needed.
He became a mentor without me ever really realizing it. Still now, years after having worked directly for him despite going back to work for him again but in a less direct role, I still firmly call him the greatest boss I ever had and can easily offer up evidence to back up my claims when interviewing and being asked what I believe a good boss to be and how would I describe that. He shaped my view of the working world and taught me lessons about work ethic and quality that have shaped myself and will remain with me until the end of my time.
He became a friend, all the while remaining a mentor, when he would make time to sit and talk when it was needed, work related or not. We laughed together, so much more than I could have ever hoped to, and we even cried together when conversations took a serious turn into reality unexpectedly. There were others who can easily claim they knew him better and rightfully so, but I knew him in my own right and will always cherish the memories I have of him.
My heart aches for his wife and two small children, ever more so, knowing they will never have the opportunity to first hand know what a truly great man their father was. My heart lightens ever so lightly, as it's still sad, but knowing they will still get to know how great a man their father was through his endless supply of family and friends whom their father's memory will live on in forever.
So to my boss, my mentor, my friend, John Sadl, may you rest in peace and be that guiding light to your family and friends, your loved ones as I know you wouldn't have it any other way. Your time in this world was far too short but you truly shall become immortal in the memories and impact you had and still have.
