One Last handshake

Originally sent exclusively to The Letter subscribers on March 9th. Want to be the first to get my personal newsletter in your inbox every Monday at 7am? Subscribe for free here.

On Sunday I found out that an old friend was in his final moments. This wonderful chap lives in Cornwall.

I spoke to him on Sunday and he said, “I’d like to shake your hand one last time.”

So I got in my camper van and started the drive.

I stayed at The Big Sheep in North Devon on Sunday night, planning to make the final hour into Cornwall the next morning.

Sadly, David was too poorly to see me. In 24 hours so much can change.

David built a large outdoor play business and had the most solid hands.

When he shook your hand, you knew it. He gripped you harder than anyone I know.

I liked him a lot.

He used to call me “big balls”. Not because of my size, but because of my seize-the-opportunity approach.

It made me think about 24 hours. So much can change in a single day.

Things can be remarkably better or worse.

The truth is, the better or worse is largely down to our thoughts.

You cannot get to your destination overnight, but you can change your direction. And you can certainly prepare the sail so that when the wind blows your way, you are ready to seize the opportunity.

David filled me with warmth and humour knowing that he was hours and days away before he met his maker.

He set his sail with humour and dignity. It motivated me. It made me want to shake his hand one last time.

He set his sail with warmth and humour not sadness and regret. 

The thought of him being on the other side of the country was in that moment - not even a concern. 

I knew I might not make it to him, but I wanted to try.

I changed my direction and my day to say goodbye. He motivated me with his mood and view of his circumstances. He was taking the piss out of me and where he was going to be buried! 

If the why is powerful, the how is easy. 

It makes me think about why business owners do what they do.

The riches and rewards are often delayed and wrapped in a cocktail of challenges that can make you question your sanity.

Why sacrifice your happiness and sanity in pursuit of something that is far from guaranteed? 

The answer? Happiness to folk like us, is just a little bit boring. 

Life is tough, and business ownership means being responsible for the lives of many not just you and yours.

David lived well. He was honourable, entrepreneurial, and a fiercely loyal friend and pops to his family.

I feel thankful to be in leisure and hospitality on days like this. The industry is devilishly difficult compared with other sectors I have been in.

But there is one thing.

In all the other sectors I have worked in, there are no abundance of characters like David Taylor.

There are no personalities and tryers like you find in hospitality.

No one giving up their weekends and putting in such personal time like this industry.

I suppose we need to remember that we are all sailors, and along the way the sailors we meet are the real moments.

David was a sailor I was blessed to sail with and shake hands!

Moments of wonder.

God bless David and his family.

I will miss those handshakes.

And I will miss your warmth.

To your continued success,

James