Bye for Now – A Father’s Love

By Kyle McNeil - Dec 08 , 2010

Hunched over and buried beneath 2 blankets, my father’s cancer-stricken body couldn’t muster the energy to even sip a Boost nutritional drink. Before departing, I hugged him and said, “I love you, Dad.” Reciprocating softly, he also said, “Bye for now,” because “bye” was always much too final.

Four days later on February 9, 2010, my father passed away. And since his passing, it has been quite the journey. This, though, is one of the most remarkable stories of hope and love I could possibly share with you.

Pause: Yesterday Anthony Garcia blogged about how memorable surprise endings are. So you know, the surprise ending below is not the work of great writing (I’m not there yet!). Fortunately, it’s what really happened. Here it is

*** The phone rings …

“Hey Kyle, it’s Michael Drew, do you have a moment, because there is something I want to ask you?”

Michael’s question was an offer to join the Promote A Book team, which if I accepted, would involve a trip to Austin, Texas for client meetings and deeper familiarization with Persona Architecture, Platform Building, and the inner workings of how Michael serves clients.

And after so 30 months of slugging away, fighting off the self-doubt and questioning of others, here it was. The opportunity to work with Michael Drew. And what an opportunity this was!!

As I cycled my towards a nearby lake later that evening, the initial shock finally erupted into celebration. Due to the emphatic fist pumping and yelling, fellow bike trail users may have mistakenly thought they were watching a Tour de France stage victory. Soon though as I neared the water, elation turned to tears of agony, and then to gratitude as I thought…“Dad, it’s happening, it’s actually happening,” and through blurred vision I said to myself, “Thanks for believing in me dad, we’re doing good.”

Safe to say, this was memorable sunset…but the story’s not over just yet.

Later that night, as I journaled about Michael’s offer and my day, it consciously hit me.

The day Michael Drew called, was Sunday, June 20, 2010.

Also known as Father’s Day.

…

Suffice it to say, working with the Promote A Book team seems to be written in the stars, as is speaking with authors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs all over North America about their goals, life missions, and challenges. And, getting to write everyday is pretty cool, too.

What’s written in the stars for you?

Bye for now…

P.S.-I found out after he passed, that secretly my dad loved this song, too.