Those who know me well have heard countless stories about ‘Disneyland in the Desert’, when my nephew, Chase, would head west every summer. It was a wild week of movies (13 in four days is our personal best), balloon rides, and a gazillion kisses from his Arizona grandma (my mom). I knew we had fun, but never realized the impact of those trips until this conversation at his funeral:
Friend of Chase (FoC): You’re Chase’s aunt from Arizona?
Me: Maybe. What did she do?
FoC: Seriously. He raved about his trips out there. He had the best time hanging out with you. He was so excited to go and when he came back, we’d hear all these stories about all the cool things you did with him. He said that someday he was going to move to Arizona. I want you to know how much he loved those trips…
Me: speechless.
Wow. I had no idea the impact of a good visit. So as we kick off the summer vacation season, let’s remember that it’s not the lavishness of our adventures. It’s the connections we create when we go off work mode. And that track record is more important than whatever results we create with our clients.
As for Chase, he’s pain free now and hangin’ with his Arizona grandma. Thanks, dude, for 22 years of fun.