Have you ever been to a funeral and heard how wonderful the person was? Have you ever wondered why all those good words and thoughts and thank you’s weren’t shared with the person before their death?

So have I.

Have you ever seen a friend or colleague leave their 20+year career and they decided or their employer decided that there would be no retirement party? Have you ever wondered how that person feels when they get home after clearing their desk out?

So have I.

I watched Mr. Holland’s Opus back in 1995. A man who had shared his life and his talent with thousands of students through his music teaching was out the door. His departure was due to a budget cut. He was angry and sad. The end to his career was not his choice. He says,

You work for 30 years because you think that what you do makes a difference, you think it matters to people, but then you wake up one morning and find out, well no, you’ve made a little error there, you’re expendable. 

His friends, family and past students made sure he knew for them his life’s work had make a difference. They threw him a party. His ‘opus’ were the people he touched. During the movie, one past student summed up his life.

But Mr. Holland isn’t rich and he isn’t famous, at least not outside of our little town. So it might be easy for him to think himself a failure. But he would be wrong, because I think that he’s achieved a success far beyond riches and fame. Look around you. There is not a life in this room that you have not touched, and each of us is a better person because of you. We are your symphony Mr. Holland. We are the melodies and the notes of your opus. We are the music of your life.

I sobbed that evening in the dark theater. My mother had been a teacher as well. For 32 years she worked with 2nd and 3rd graders. She had touched so many lives just like Mr. Holland. But, there was no party. There was no celebration. There were no ‘thank you’s’.

One day a teacher. One day not. She deserved a party.

I worked 18 years with a national higher education newsletter. Last year the editor sold the publication and retired. Due to the national reach of the newsletter, a local party was good, but certainly not for all who would have come. She deserved a party.

Too often people enter our lives in personal and professional ways and then they leave us without hearing the words we wished we had said.

Googling ‘virtual retirement parties’ offered limited information and nothing that would allow me to throw a virtual party to reach everyone.

Hence, a website was begun. VirtualRetirementParties was born. The party was held.

“Having a virtual party was a real surprise to go along with my family gathering. More than 180 folks opened the virtual party doors, and dozens left me messages on the site. I must admit to a few tears from the comments. Being able to hear that my life and my work meant something, and hearing it before my funeral…priceless.We all have life chapters, and through the virtual party, people from each stage of my life could be there. Relatives, colleagues, team mates, all could come to the ‘virtual’ party, even in their pajamas.”

For whomever you need to say thank you and your life mattered, I hope you find a way to do that today. Take time today to give someone you know a hug and the words they need to hear before they die.

As entrepreneurs it’s about finding the passion in what you do. What’s your birthing story for your business…please share.

Mary Helen