I blew it…

By: Doug Peavey

A couple of weeks ago, the Lynn Peavey Company lost a 58-year-old veteran team member to cancer. He was our lead shipping and receiving clerk and worked for us for 13 years. We knew that he coughed a lot…but I just figured that it was due to his smoking and living large.

He and I would talk occasionally, mostly about BBQ, drinking beer and working on cars or projects around the house.

It was a big surprise when he came out in late September and said the doctors are not sure yet, but he shared with me he may have lung cancer and it might have already gone to his lymph nodes and possibly to his brain. I just figured that he’d probably have a fight on his hands, but he’ll be back…he was just that kind of guy.

We sat down and talked for about 15 minutes then about what the doctors might find and how if the news was bad how he might fight it.

He left on permanent disability and now 4 short months later, he is gone.

At Christmas, I was admittedly preoccupied with dealing with a bunch of international business travel, and closing the corporate year out with a bang. Thought about sending Dave a present, making sure that he knew we were thinking of him (which he did)…but then again I was “too busy” and decided against it (partially due to the restrictions of HIPPA.)

A lesson I learned all too late…do what you feel is right…right then when you are thinking about it. If not, you may not have the chance to do it later.

In a way, I feel that I made my peace with him the last time we sat down and talked. I blew it because I felt like there was more I could have done. Have you been there too?