A year on, a letter to my dad....

Dear Dad,

Last February, I wrote and spoke about, the difficult days, the family and I faced at the time of your passing.

At this time, it was surprising to see the number of emails the family received about you, and also even the media articles, but what was most surprising, was the realization of the incredibly large number of people whose lives have been touched for the better, by either working with, for, or just knowing you over the years. I always knew you had an impact on people, just not this many!

Personally, this made your passing a little easier, knowing the positive influence you have had on so many other people, the industries you helped innovate, and also the small flora and fauna charities that received funding when larger charities and even government organizations would just ignore them.

A year on, there are still difficult days, and I still can’t believe you are really gone. I miss you more than ever dad, and think to myself, that this is just another one of the tests you have set for me. I see you everywhere I look, be it your usual seat in the board room, or at home sitting on the couch with your laptop working away. I still even look over at level 4 reception hoping to see you come over, and ask me your usual questions of “what will you sell today”, and “what have you sold”. Unfortunately reality sets in, and you are gone, but I still take solace that you went so quickly, enjoying life to the fullest, as you always did.

I am thankful every day for the relatively short time you were my dad. I could not possibly, nor could mum, Andrew, Catherine, Keren, or Vicki, hope for a more loving, caring father and husband. Despite the short time we spent together, I have so many fantastic memories of you and the time we spent together, which I will always treasure, and knowledge and experiences in life and business, far beyond what I could have ever hoped for. The knowledge and experience I have, would not have had possible without someone as unique and special as you were. You taught me well dad, and hope you are proud of me.

You left your pride and joy (Exetel) on a good course, and although we have had to make some changes to various products and services, it is still very close to the company you founded, with the same ideals of providing the best possible services, at the lowest possible prices, without compromising on quality. In fact, in the year you have been gone, revenues are up over 22%, and in the last quarter, corporate revenue was up over 65%, and this continues to track upwards. Regardless of any figures, it is certainly not the same without you, and I still hope, wish, and pray that you will come back, and I am certain that this is echoed by everyone else at Exetel.

I know you are looking over us all, as you always did, and I will always miss you, and know that everyone at Exetel, and countless others miss you too, but we are all better for having had you in our lives.

James