It was just after lunch, the day after my 31st birthday, a Sunday. I was sitting on the couch when I received a call from an unknown caller with a Kansas City area code. At that time, I was in a role that involved managing a lot of moving pieces on the weekends, so it wasn’t uncommon to get a call from an unknown number. But I wasn’t ready for this one.
It was the ex-husband of my only employee and one of my closest friends. It took me a moment to figure out why in the world he would be calling me. He said some words, but as I began to go into shock, the only ones I understood were, “she didn’t make it.” I thanked him for letting me know, and one of the darkest seasons of my life began.
I called my employee’s long-term boyfriend. I left a voicemail. I found out a few hours later, he had been in the same accident and had also not survived. I had a hard time processing what was happening.
The week was a blur. Parts of the week I buried myself in work, handling the logistics that come when half of your team is suddenly gone. At other times, I was in a catatonic state, unable to move, much less focus. My mom and I booked flights to Kansas City the next day to help where we could with arrangements and be around her family and friends. I needed the support.
In the darkest hours, acts of kindness are rays of light and hope. I remember all the sympathy gifts I received during that season. My mom got me flowers. My sister brought over a coffee from my favorite coffee shop. My dad got one of the largest flower arrangements at the funeral, all thoughtful gestures from my family. We are close, and while I didn’t expect them to get anything, I also wasn’t surprised. Our family is tight-knit, and we are there for each other during hard times.
But some gifts did take me back. Two of our clients purchased flower arrangements for the ceremony. I was surprised this event moved them, especially one of our smallest clients, in a way that caused them to take a proactive step in showing their appreciation for her. One of our larger clients, who worked closely with her, gave a large arrangement, similar to the size my dad had given, that was placed at the service.
Normally, corporate gifts flow from the person sending the invoice to the person paying it. I never expect to get a gift from one of our customers, nor do I usually purchase gifts for our corporate gift suppliers (of whom I am a customer). But sometimes humanness breaks the system. Sometimes you witness someone go through something so life-changing that you have to show your support. I encourage you, if you are ever hesitant about giving a gift to someone going through a hard time because it may cross a professional boundary – do it. The world needs more light.
Have you ever broken the norm and given a gift to a product or service provider? Tell us the story!
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