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Everyone Needs a Hank Kansas City was the place where I met Hank. He was an executive with Hallmark Cards and I was a salesman attempting to sell his firm office furniture. We were a true "Odd Couple", he with a combination MBA/Engineering background and me, a "Type A" marketing type. As the saying goes, opposites attract and Hank and I became instant friends. He was a very kind and gentle man and really cared about me as a person. Hank was a true friend - one who tells you what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear. A new job opportunity was presented to me and I called Hank, as well as my father, to seek his advice. Hank asked me the right questions and encouraged me to take the job. We talked about his passion, golf, and made plans for a summer outing with our families. Good byes were said and, while pulling the receiver away from my ear, Hank said, "Byrd, I love you." I placed the phone back to my ear and said, "Hank, I love you too." The following morning a mutual friend, who worked with Hank at Hallmark, called me at home. He said about three words and then broke down, saying "Byrd, Hank died last night." After talking with me, Hank had walked his two young children around the block. Upon returning, he went upstairs to take medication for a headache and died suddenly of an aneurysm. Several years later, I was fired from a "Comfortable Executive Position" at the age of 42. I contemplated suicide, was mad at God and wanted to just give up on life. Less than two weeks after my termination, with the future still very much in doubt, I had a dream in which the phone rang. Upon answering the phone and saying hello, the other party said, "Hello Byrd, this is Hank", and hung up. It was Hank's voice; kind, gentle and as caring as ever. Within one month of this "Conversation", my first book, The Book of Excellence, was published. This book, written in memory of Hank, has become a best-seller in the sales field and has been published in eight foreign languages. I must be honest in that Hank's compassion was the spark of life - otherwise known as hope - which inspired me to write twelve additional books and to take the leap of faith to become a successful professional speaker. I am blessed to touch hearts and souls, as Hank touched my heart. After all of these years I still think of Hank quite often and am comforted in knowing that he watches over me. There's tremendous power in friendship. Our friends can help us reach our dreams or keep us from doing much of anything. Seek out those people who believe in you and help you achieve. And once you find them or they find you, let them know how much you appreciate them. Do you hear that, Hank? Your friend,  | |
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