Don't Miss the Moment

If you have been following me you may have seen I worked diligently to raise money for a childhood friend, Andrew Dolph, who was battling cancer a second time. Andrew passed away this morning.

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Though, I am proud of what my small, young, ragtag Company was able to do in a few short months - $5,000 of donations directly from the Company and a little over $4,000 from generous community members who were called by the Company’s campaign, I realize the money was less than half of the real impact we had.

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The true impact was the timing. During a time of intense disease, Andrew felt lonely; he felt forgotten by the community that only twelve years ago roared in applause when he nailed fifty-yard field goals and helped win back some respect for the LD Bell football program that had been relegated to the ugly step-child in Trinity’s shadow.

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I am most proud that my Company did not miss the moment. During a time when I did not know how I was going to make ends meet personally, nor in my business – a time before Opilio had even signed its first client we wrote a four-figure check and pledged 10% of revenues (not profits, revenues!) to Andrew and his family through 2023. But again, it wasn’t about the money – it was about the afternoons I spent in the hospital by Andrew’s side. It was about spending time with him when he needed it most. It was about treating Andrew as a normal person and reminding him no matter what happened – he was an inspiration.

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In Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream Speech” he refers to having seen the “the Promised Land.” I have had my own glimpses of the Promised Land when I see a smile on my daughter’s face or hold my wife’s hand. Today, Andrew inherited the Promised Land where he will be for eternity without anymore pain or suffering.

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Andrew wanted one thing. He wanted to motivate others through his story. He wanted to inspire others to seize the moment. What would life be like if Dr. King ignored the calling on his life and missed the moment? What would happen to people like Andrew who are battling unthinkable diseases and circumstances if no one stepped up to be a friend? What would our life be like if leaders like Steve Jobs caved to the pressures in business and negative opinions of the market and shrank away into obscurity?

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Don’t let your dreams die with you. Don’t miss the moment.

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9