The Basics of Life

I was taught that people need water, food, and shelter to survive. Now, I believe there is something else that all of us must have as well. We need it in our professional life. We need it personally. Couples need it. College students need it. Teens need it. Even toddlers need it. If you are a leader in the business, please pay attention? I really believe that this might be one of the secrets to driving results, making your workplace a better place to work, achieving long term success.

Before I share this one item, I have been so emotionally impacted by the consequences of the pandemic. My heart goes out to those families who have lost loved ones. I am crushed when I watch the news and see exhausted nurses, aides, doctors, long term care staff, home health staff and others just trying to get by for another minute, day, and week. My heart hurts when I hear the stories of formerly healthy individuals trying to grab a critical breath while on ventilators in hospital beds. Tears fill my eyes when I see long lines of cars at food banks. I think of the poor children that may not have enough to eat.

Our family has been touched by this awful virus. My son-in-law had the respiratory version of the virus. He has finally recovered, and we celebrated when he finally got his smell and taste senses back. My daughter and wife have so struggled as long-haulers. They both had the GI version. Coupled with severe fatigue, debilitating headaches, loss of balance and terrible stomach discomfort, their symptoms lasted 5-6 months. It was heart-wrenching to watch two people who I love so much suffer.

I have not seen my Nebraska grandkids in person for almost a year. I have not hugged my San Diego-based daughter in 10 months and our local kids and grandkids have not been in our home since early March. Barb and I were so disappointed and saddened to miss our goddaughter’s wedding and we have not seen our church family in person for nine months.

I am sure if you are reading this, you are saying, “Yes, Glen, me too. We are in the same boat”. And I hear you and I feel for you as well.

Recently, my four-year-old granddaughter asked me, “Pop Pop, remember when you used to pick me up from camp (outdoor preschool) and take me to Starbucks? We would get a hot chocolate and a snack? And we would talk and play?

As my heart sank to the floor and tears filled my eyes, I told her yes, I do. And we will again. I promise.

That last statement was profound. It was, but in retrospect, it was a super important statement. “We will again, I promise”.

That got me to thinking about my life. Growing up broke, most people I knew had not gone to college. I dreamt about not only going to college but also living away and meeting students from different parts of the country and the world.

My mom would tell me as early as I could remember, “Glen, you can do and be anything. Do not let anyone stomp on your dreams”. That’s what I had, dreams! I had hope.

Not too many years later, those dreams came true.

As a newly married, 25-year-old, I was asked to coach a biddy basketball team with a friend from the inner city of Neptune, NJ. Most of the kids came from families who were struggling financially. Our 8-9-year-old team did some remarkable things and won the league, went on to win the city crown, and even the state of NJ title. The kids were so excited to play for the Eastern Regional title. Not only because of the game but we had to take a bus on a Saturday to the tournament. None of the children had ever been on a bus. That team came within one win from flying to Puerto Rico to play in the national championship tournament! I remember the faces on the kids and their parents as we kept winning elimination game after game. I watched how the parents stood more upright, were more confident and became prouder. I remember telling one parent that her son could someday be a special player if he kept working hard and focused on his schoolwork, too. He was that good even at such a young age!

Can you imagine my delight about 10-12 years later when I turned on the TV and saw that same little boy (who had grown to 6’8) starring for George Washington University? I am sure he became an idol for all the other kids back in Neptune, NJ. They then could imagine their own hope and dreams.

In business, I was asked to replace a strong leader who I had greatly and still hold in high regard. To no fault of his own and to due to outside developments, his company had taken a real turn for the worse. I remember asking one of the board members during my interview, “What does this company need most?” He replied, “They need to be inspired. They need hope”.

That’s it! That’s the secret ingredient that we all need. We need hope! We need to know that during the most difficult times, there is an end. There is a way out.

Staff need to be inspired. Companies need vision. They need to see the future. They need to see what they are working towards. Families need hope. Struggling couples need hope. Even my four-year-old granddaughter needs hope.

Recently, after she said to me that she misses me picking her up and going to Starbucks, Nana and I decided to do something different. We surprised her at her house. We were there when her Mom brought her home from camp (outdoor preschool). We brought with us the same kids’ hot chocolate that she would always get when we went together and an Olaf looking cookie. We opened the trunk and she jumped for joy when she saw us and the hot chocolate and cookie.

With face masks on and faces turned way from one another, I bent down and let her jump in my arms, and we hugged on for dear life. In that moment, we both had hope. We both had hope for a vaccine, for an end to this nightmare and for a future that will be better.

As a man of faith, I have another especially important hope. I hope for not only a future on this earth but one in heaven. I hope for an eternal life where there is no pandemic, no hurt, no sorrow, and no strife. Hang in there. This is a tough season of life. Fight through the sorrow. Fight through the loneliness. Fight through the hurt. Fight to get to the next season. On earth and in heaven.

Let us all stay as safe as possible. And just as importantly, try your best to hang onto hope for you, your family, your friends, and your associates.

Thanks for reading this.

With a goal to “help the next one in line”, Glen Cavallo, a 30+ year healthcare executive has chosen to share the many lessons he has learned with others. Glen does this by serving as a coach/advisor to leaders at all levels of organizations, as a board member and as he presents inspirational speeches at regional, national, annual and awards meetings.