Crossing paths

When I was living in Bloomington I was assigned to work that had a project room in the Oakland Avenue Building, OAB for short.  It was a very spread out facility with a series of hallways that led to one of four areas - A, B, C or D.  It didn't really have a corporate feel, it was homey with lots of breakout work spaces to get lost when 'heads-down' work time was needed.

I enjoyed my time at OAB.  Although the most important reason I liked being at OAB wasn't any of the above mentioned reasons.  I liked it because of the people.  The woman who ran the register in the cafeteria was always friendly and winked if I happened to buy a cookie that day because she knew I was tucking it away to give to Ellie when I picked her up later.  I enjoyed the woman who ran the coffee stand just inside the building entrance too.  Although I never stopped and bought coffee she always said good morning to me - even though I carried my travel mug every day.

And then there was Bill.

Bill was the security guard at the front desk who greeted every one by name.  It didn't take him long to realize that when I walked in and he stood to shake my hand through the security window that I'd stand and talk to him.  He always had a good story for me.  And I love a good story.

Then he began to tell me that when I wasn't at OAB everyday only every few weeks, if he saw me it was guaranteed he'd hear "Hey Jude" on the drive home.

I was thrilled last November when I traveled back to Bloomington for a meeting, that I got to see Bill and he still remembered me by name and asked why had it been so long!?  He was still smiling, happy to do his job even it that meant making temporary badges for those who forgot theirs to enter the building.

I found out today that Bill died over the weekend.  I'm told his chair this morning remained empty.  He will be missed by so, so many people who were welcomed by him on a daily basis.  He made a difference.  And isn't that what really matters.  Those people that we see so often who make it their daily mission to make others happy.  They don't take themselves too seriously.  They just make each person they encounter feel special.

Bill was one of those people for me.  Seeing him, even knowing I was going to see him made me smile.  It reminds me how important it is to tell people they matter.  Bill did that without saying it.

Tonight I smile through tears and think of all the people that Bill will greet by name as they enter Heaven after he did.

So glad I knew you, Bill!