Stopped Me In My Tracks

First thing this morning, I received a phone call from a community member expressing sincere appreciation for the work I am doing and acknowledging the tremendously heavy responsibility that comes with it — along with the scrutiny and criticism that often accompanies it.

He shared his thoughts with me about the importance of specific programs in our schools, and we had a really thoughtful conversation about what matters for our young people.

It was nice to be seen.

To be appreciated.

And to have the opportunity to talk through ideas with someone who cares deeply about our community.

I hung up feeling grateful.

Immediately after, I picked up the newspaper.

I read the first part of the front-page article about the school board and turned the page to continue reading when a familiar face in the obituary section stopped me in my tracks.

Over the years, I have lost several former team members. I felt the loss of each one, but some hit harder than others.

My friend, Jan Smith, is one of them.

I hired Jan during a transformative time at Tatsuda’s — before the remodel, in the early days of me stepping into management and beginning to make incremental changes in how we served our customers and who helped serve them.

Jan’s outgoing spirit and years of deli experience were a breath of fresh air for me. I was so excited about what we would build together.

And over the years she worked for me, we did build something special.

After the landslide, she went to work at Safeway. Whenever I saw her there, she brought light to my heart. We would talk for a few minutes while she worked, catching up the way people who have shared something meaningful always do.

I loved Jan.

And her loss hits my heart.

And it reminds me, once again, that people are what matter most.