Member-only story
BB2ME #19 — You never know when the end will come
Normally I never answer a call when I do not recognize the phone number. This time was different. I said hello wondering who was calling me.
It was my assistant’s neighbor. She was calling to let me know that my executive assistant, Cecilia, was in the emergency room. I asked what was wrong.
She did not know much other than Cecilia’s daughters had called 911. The paramedics arrived and took Cecilia to the emergency room.
The doctors were running tests. She would call me tomorrow with an update.
She was gone the next day
I was in the office early the next day. Cecilia’s neighbor called me. She was sobbing. I was not prepared for what she told me.
Cecilia had passed away early that morning. No way — she was gone.
I was not sure what to do next. One of Cecilia’s peers was in the office. I told her the news. She cried.
I went into my office and called my boss. He handled the news well. I hung up the phone, closed my door and cried. I never cry at work. Never.
