Losing a colleague, a mentor, a friend, a great man

I was heading to a celebration of a great man's career, a man that I admired, that had been there for me, a man who understood me and my "madness", a man who was a champion of advocating for both staff and people we served, a man that made me feel special every time I spoke to him, a man who led us through budgetary wars and back with a smile, a man who I knew was not doing well but still hoped to see again. When I got there, I was told he passed away 10 minutes before the event started (give or take on the time). After sadness, my reaction in my head was : "Well played Bill".

Bill was a great leader who knew how to get everyone together towards the same goal. Bill was the king of advocacy and made sure everyone in the agency would call, email, write to our leaders in the legislature in order to advocate for those who sometimes struggled to advocate for themselves. We got so many forwards that I nicknamed him "Spaminator Bill" jokingly to a person I worked with. Unbeknownst to me, that individual relayed the message of the nickname to Bill. I saw Bill a few weeks later and he thanked me for always completing the tasks of advocating. I said no problem. He then asked me where his nickname came from...I said: "What nickname?" I said foolishly, not remembering the nickname I gave him. He told me he would make sure that he comes up as "Spaminator Bill" in my email.

Bill was compassionate. I remember a time where I could not work due to a work permit issue. I was pretty bummed out, as I do not do well sitting at home and waiting! Bill called me personally and assured me that my position was safe. He then asked if I had time to volunteer for collating envelopes one afternoon. We did 2000 envelopes that day for (what else?) an advocacy effort to be sent to the Senate Leader, Speaker of the House, and the Governor. Proud of our work, I took a picture with my picture phone (remember its 2004) and sent it to him.

When I saw him that night at an Advocates Christmas Party, he shook my hand, wished me Happy Holidays (PC) and asked me how I was doing. With many board members and Senior Leadership around him I answered: "Not so good! I sent you a picture of our work today and you didn't respond (me again, not PC)". I am assuming now that he meant my forced stoppage of work. He apologized as he didn't see it and asked me to send it again. He immediately responded and during the party, he asked: "Did you get my answer? You didn't answer!"

Bill was also perceptive. The biggest compliment I ever received from him was at a time we had a budgetary crisis (yeah that's every year so I don't remember what year) and the staff at the agency were a little scared, upset, unhappy about what was going on. Bill pulled me in his office and asked me what was going on. I talked a little about me but he stopped me. He asked how things were going in the agency. I told him about the unhappiness and other issues. I was pretty blunt about things (I am so passive anyway) and we discussed how to make things better. When I left he told me what has now become a huge source of pride and how I do things:"I can always count on you for an honest opinion". For better or for worse, that is how I do things all the time, honestly.

I have other stories, like my first encounter with him ever, the changes in position I have had in the company, the Canadian document resolution, the email he sent me while I left the agency for 10 months but I'll let you ask me those stories if you want to hear them. I want to leave with this message I sent him a few months ago. Bill, thank you for letting us know about the recurrence of your cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I send my positive energy towards you. I owe you my life in the US. Thanks to you and the agency, I met my great wife, got a Masters, learned about my likes and dislikes in the my work. I have a house, two wonderful kids, and a great job I enjoy. All because you gave this Canadian a chance by recruiting me into Advocates in 1998. Thank you...for everything. I will forever be grateful.

Rest in Peace Bill. I will never forget what you gave to me.

One Mission’s Kid’s Cancer Buzz-Off

One Mission’s Kid’s Cancer Buzz-Off Please give anything for this important cause. I would be appreciate it greatly.

Boston Marathon aftermath

The last week has been quite a difficult one here in the Massachusetts. It has been quite an emotional ride which culminate with an arrest of one of the suspects after shutting down most of Metro Boston, one suspect dead, Officer Collier passing away, Officer Donohue fighting for his life, and a whole lot of healing to be done everywhere. I have been through a slew of emotions, from sadness, to anger, to surprise, to upset, to happy and I am not sure how I am feeling right now so instead of processing these emotions right now, I figured I'd practice my Buddhist beliefs and write what I am thankful for today. I can let you know about my other feelings in another blog entry.
I am grateful for all law enforcement involved, from Boston PD, to the FBI, to the Mass State Police, to Transit Police, to MIT Police, to the ATF, to Homeland Security, to Watertown Police, to Cambridge Police, to the hundreds of officers called in from all over New England. These guys are never truly recognized for all their dedication and the danger they face daily. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To the first responders, EMT and Firefighters particularly, not only for their quick response on Marathon day but with the police officers injured during the firefights. A messy, stressful job that also does not get the recognition they deserve.
To the Marathon volunteers, especially those who reacted by going towards the injured and being so selfless in a dangerous situation. Not only did they give their time to volunteer, they gave more than ever expected.
To the military personnel, especially the National Guard, who responded quickly and efficiently to a quick call up. Don't forget those who ran the Marathon and stayed around and were called into duty with no preparation.
To the people of Metro Boston who listened to the direction to "shelter in place". From a state where we usually question authority, everyone was conscientious of this order.
To all hospital workers at Beth Israel, Mass General, Brigham and Women, Mt.Auburn, Children's Hospital,  your exceptional service to the injured all around saved lives and made people feel taken care of. How comforting we have the best hospitals in the world right here?
To all those who did not react in fear, and kept going about their lives in the aftermath, you embedded the spirit of America. Never live in fear, be strong, be brave.
To Governor Patrick and President Obama. They said they were going to give all the resources law enforcement needed to get to the bottom of this, and they did. Never wavered.
To local sports teams who offered some sense of normalcy to the area. The tributes have been emotional but also helped start the healing. Singing the national anthem, giving their jerseys to the first responders, Neil Diamond singing, and Big Papi reminding us that "This is our fucking city".
To all the grief, CISM, and Red Cross responders. We will never realize how much you helped. Just remember to take care of yourself too.
To the Lenox hotel who put up all police officers, firefighters, agents who responded to Boston this week for free. It is nice to know some businesses aren't always about the bottom line and take care of those who take care of us.
I may have forgotten people, and for that, I apologize in advance. Thank you to all from a grateful Canadian who calls Boston home.

Open letter to the President

Dear President Obama.

I want to start off by congratulating you on you second term in office. I supported your presidency for both elections, posting on Facebook, Twitter, and talking to my friends about you as a great person with great leadership skills. I also contributed to you in other ways so that we can have you as a President for 8 years. However I did not vote for you.
Why you may ask? I am a legal permanent resident in this country but I cannot legally vote. I have been here since January 1999, when I entered this country as a Transnational from Canada. Here, I met my now wife, who happens to be American, and became a legal permanent resident in 2006 after enduring countless paperwork, a harsh interview from a Homeland Security employee, going for my biometrics in downtown Boston a few times, to be questioned for deceitfulness due to dry skin and "modifying" my prints, and paying many fees to remain in this country that I love. I also have two children who are born here and they are lawful citizens. During the past 14 years, I have payed taxes, Medicare, and Social Security on my paycheck and payed my taxes each and every year. I always though this country was based on "No taxation without representation" but I guess that does not apply to legal residents.
Now I hear about a plan to make unlawful immigrants in this country permanent residents after 8 years, as long as they have committed less than three crimes and/or have spent less than a year behind bars. I understand we must address this issue of "unlawful immigrants". I have to admit, Mr. President, this has rubbed me the wrong way for several reasons. First of all, you are giving a pardon of some sort to individuals who came here in less than legal ways. I have crossed the border legally each and every time and let's just say that there were times I was treated not so nicely. I was held on a few occasions for TN issues, which, in my opinion, was an excuse to pick on me. I also somehow always get pick for random searches. Why do we treat people who do things the legal way in that particular way.
I also struggle with "only 3 crimes". I have been told on multiple occasions that one crime and I am deported. Not just three crimes or less or less than a year in jail: ANY CRIME. It is appalling  to hear these terms when I get treated as a threat...and I have done nothing but love this country. And let's not even think of the court costs, law enforcement, incarceration that less than three crimes cost. So not only do we have lower standards for unlawful immigrants to become awful, they already have created a cost and never paid taxes.
Mr. President, please don't make legal immigrants regret doing it the right way. Paying taxes, being lawful should not feel this wrong.