Remembering Franklin

I worked with an African-American man who had a heart attack and died at his desk. Franklin was wonderful person, with a heart as big as his muscles. Franklin, then in his thirties, lifted weights after work and had muscles so big that he had to have dress shirts custom made to fit his enormous chest and biceps.

My desk was located close to Franklin's desk and we would talk often. He was a very gentle individual and we got along very well.

On March 31, 1998, I left the office to go out to lunch. This would be the last time I would see Franklin alive. Co-workers told me that he had a heart attack in his chair shortly after I left for lunch. Paramedics rushed him to a near-by emergency room, however it was too late. Franklin did not make it.

Franklin's death hit me like a ton of bricks. It was a wake up call that I heard loud and clear. At the time of his death my wife and I were still dating and I was on the fence about getting engaged. Immediately after Franklin died we started looking for a ring and were engaged almost a month later.

Seven years later I now realize the important role Franklin played in my life. I have a beautiful wife and children thanks in some degree to him. He was the catalyst. I wish he were alive so I could thank him.

Everyone in our life is there for a reason. We just may not know the reason.