Three years ago, a horrific and needless accident claimed the life of one of PlattForm’s video editors, Jon U. And since the Video Production team was a close-knit team, it hit everyone particularly hard. That whole week was a mind-numbing blur of grief, raw emotions and reflection.

You spend 40+ hours with someone each week and you might as well call it an odd marriage of convenience. You work with them for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health … and, sometimes when fate plays its cards, ‘til death do we part.

In the past week, two colleagues of mine from my first TV gig in Des Moines passed away within days of each other. Both were dear friends. One died, unexpectedly, from a heart attack. The outpouring of love and support from the community was not only heartfelt, it was palpable.

When Jon U passed, it was the same way here. PlattForm is still a small enough company where everybody knows most everybody. And I still remember how much camaraderie and concern reverberated through the hallways. Jon’s commercials are still seen all over the country … and I catch them from time to time.

In the case of my friend Michelle Parker, her untimely passing was a harsh reminder we only have a small amount of time to make the most of our lives. Because Michelle was a news reporter, she had the chance to touch thousands upon thousands of lives. And she did. And it’s worth mentioning … thousands and thousands of times.

Michelle’s legacy will live on with nearly 30 years of television news reporting under her belt. I’m somewhat comforted in that fact. Well, that and she reminded me every single day for seven years that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. And it stuck. Like honey.

Years from now when I go to the Big Manual Typewriter in the sky, I hope people say I lived my life to the absolute fullest. And that I had no regrets. And that I had good hair. Which I pointed out to Michelle every single day for seven years.