W.W.M.D

The world lost a good one and it’s taken me a bit to put into perspective his passing and the evolution in our friendship.??

Mo was a former colleague from my early days at Microsoft Advertising.? He was larger than life, & unique as they get and the most reliable person to get the party started and keep it going until the wee hours.??

He had a high business acumen and ability to own the room (very charming & disarming nature) but his biggest & best skill was the people part.?

To be candid, my relationship (initially) with Mo was primarily limited to proverbial business opportunities between our two companies (MSN & MSNBC) and of course late-night fist bumps, semi-aggressive cheers and what seemed only minutes later, the shared acknowledgement that we somehow got up in time for the mornings first meetings (usually a head nod whilst sipping coffee).

Fast forward 7 years, it was a random encounter on a local trail where our relationship changed and he became an instant friend, an advocate and where I learned just how amazing he truly was.??

*Specific time frame - unknown* --- I had seen via social media that Mo and his family had moved back to Seattle from the east coast and quite a few of his posts were family oriented but also of him on his bike.? Which, if you know Mo from any point in time he is pretty recognizable even while riding and wearing a mask.

“MO!!!” I yelled… Yup, I yelled at a guy on a bike traveling at moderate speed as I was 98% sure it was him.? The man on the bike stopped, turned back and smiled through his mask and by all accounts gave the impression of “Yup, it’s me”.

I walked up, removed my mask, he did the same.? Immediately, I could tell... he had no clue who was in front of him.? Which honestly was the appropriate reaction/impression for the situation…

*given the time lapse, given our previous relationship was absolutely ok plus I had grown a beard and my optimized dad bod was drastically altered because of COVID19 and no gym access*

We began to chat, I gently reminded him who I was and then he asked how I was doing.? Now normally, that wouldn’t be such a critical moment, but in our relationship it was.? I jokingly gave him the option for the standard response or the abbreviated real shit that was my current reality.?

Without hesitation, he said “I only do real” and gave me his time & attention to be heard. *still in the middle of the trail mind you…*??

At the time I was going through a very difficult situation; embroiled in litigation versus my former employer, actively looking for my next opportunity, hustling on multiple fronts to sustain some form of financial balance all the while being the same Man/husband/father/friend I was prior, whilst navigating the pandemic.

From there Mo would insist that he help make connections (He was so exceptional at this) and knowing what I had done from a professional standpoint there were quite a few opportunities that he had in mind.

*within 10 minutes of ending our chat he had texted, emailed and DM’d me reminders to get him my most recent resume*?

He would check in on me almost daily, especially during the week of my trial and the days/weeks that would soon follow.??

He would continually send me texts of affirmations of the good I bring to the world; reminding me how unfortunately people / humanity can be very ugly when it comes to greed and self preservation.?

He was adamant in his disappointment in the outcome and we lamented how “shitty” it is when the bad guy(s) win, but that it was imperative that “guys like us” stand up to bullies and that we not only fight for ourselves, but also for others because we were the guys capable of taking it on.??

We had bonded over the most basic human concept, which could only be described as doing our best to be a good person in what is a fickle and random world.?

I am grateful for knowing him and even more so the impact he had at such a difficult time in my life and like so many others I am honored to support his legacy.??

He was unapologetically authentic & unique?

He had a heart the same size as his personality

He was my friend

I picked up a phrase I heard from one of his many friends around the theme of; “What Would Mo Do (WWMD) and without any hesitation … Mo would do the right thing or at the very least it would be fun as hell.

Cheers to you Mo.