Recently, I sat down to write a letter to my late husband, Gene. I wanted to create it to help me process my feelings as I transition through this time. Losing him pushed me into the most significant shift in my life and it’s a process to be sure.
As I was writing, I realized that the action of writing a letter as an act of therapy might also be a good exercise for my clients transitioning out of their business.
Below is the letter I would write if I were to leave my business. Want to read what I wrote to Gene? I’ll add it below.
A letter to my business as I transition out of it
Dear Beloved Business,
As I sit down to write this letter, my heart is heavy with bittersweet emotions. I depart from this incredible journey we have shared together with both a sense of sadness and joy.
With a mixture of pride and nostalgia, I pass the baton of ownership into the capable hands of another. But before I bid farewell, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude and reflect upon the remarkable path we have traveled.
When I first embarked on this entrepreneurial adventure, I never could have imagined the profound impact it would have on my life. It started as a simple dream, a flicker of an idea that ignited a flame of passion within me. From that spark, this business was born.
We weathered countless storms together, celebrated triumphant victories, and navigated uncharted territories. Through it all, we built something truly extraordinary—a sanctuary for dreams and aspirations to flourish. We nurtured an environment where women’s voices were not just heard but amplified, where their potential was recognized and nurtured. It has been an honor to witness the transformation and growth of the remarkable women who have graced our doors.
But now, as the seasons change, so must I. Life has presented me with a new chapter, an opportunity to explore different avenues and embrace fresh challenges. As I embark on this new journey, I carry with me the immeasurable pride of what we have accomplished together. Our story will forever be etched in my heart.
While I cannot deny the melancholy that accompanies my departure, I am filled with joy and hope for what lies ahead.
It is a testament to the strength and resilience of this business that it has captured the attention of a visionary successor. They see the potential that lies within these walls, the legacy we have built together. They understand the soul of this business, the values it upholds, and the transformative impact it can have on the lives of the women we serve.
As I prepare to step away, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the incredible team that has stood by my side throughout this journey. Your unwavering commitment, creativity, and resilience have been the bedrock upon which this business has thrived. You have been more than employees; you have been confidantes, comrades, and cherished friends. I am forever grateful for your unwavering support.
Finally, to our loyal customers and community, thank you for believing in us. Your unwavering support, loyalty, and trust have been the wind beneath our wings. It is you who have given purpose and meaning to our work, and for that, we are eternally grateful.
As I close this chapter and embark on a new adventure, my heart swells with a profound sense of gratitude. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the custodian of this extraordinary business. I leave it in the capable hands of the future, knowing that it will continue to be a beacon of hope, inspiration, and empowerment for women.
With love,
Nat
Friendship, Like, and Love – We were lucky to have all three, a letter to Gene.
I miss my best friend, love, and lover. You knew exactly how to wake me up on lazy weekend mornings. Even if you got up early, went downstairs and made your coffee, then came back upstairs and just got back into bed. As always, you were in charge of the weekend breakfast.
I have been wondering how you are, wherever in the universe it is that you are. Praying you are at peace, although I can certainly feel you around me lately, protecting me. As you always did. My guess is that you always will. This past week though, the feeling was super strong that you were around every corner. But I figured out why you were around so much, especially last weekend. I took care of that, I’m sure you already know.
The story of us is really not that complicated. But it certainly is a beautiful one. When I look back, we fell in love first but became best friends just as quickly. Maybe the next time around, we will become friends first? I would say that we liked each other even more, if that is possible. You were my best friend. There was absolutely nothing you didn’t know about me or that we could not talk about. Or when you weren’t sure, you certainly figured it out, plus a way to get me to talk about it. You were smart and quite clever. I suppose your soul remains that way, much more so now, as you can see the world from a different perspective. I hope you are able to help make it a better place. So much love and compassion are missing on this planet.
A friend of mine told me before I moved to Hawaii that I would meet someone, a sense she had. Someone with just as strong of a spirit if not stronger, one that would captivate me. That feels right.
She played a song for me that night before I left, “Jealous of the Angels,” you know, the one that talks about “there will be another angel around the throne tonight, and I am jealous of the angels around the throne tonight” holds true. Always will. I was never a jealous person, nor were you. We trusted each other and made a commitment to each other, plus a key agreement. So then, does respect and trust come before like, friendship and love? Ours happened so fast that it feels like it all happened at once. I can’t seem to break down the timing. I suppose that is OK, I don’t need to.
But it is an interesting question for me moving forward. Would it have been different if we were just friends to start? I don’t think so. It would have been just as intense. I think it worked out the way it was meant to be. Neither of us would have slowed down from our first date when I walked right by you at the table and had to call to see where you were. It was a true blind date. You didn’t even look up much throughout dinner, I thought you were not even attracted to me. Then we went for a long walk after dinner and ended up talking on a bench until after midnight. I remember you telling me that you fell in love that night when I laughed about something and threw my head back. You drove me one block to kiss me goodnight in a car you restored which was exactly like my first boyfriend’s car, my high school sweetheart. I was speechless when you opened the car door. Is everything related in this world somehow? Are things signals or signs that we should pay more attention to?
You see, I used to believe in coincidences, but I don’t anymore. I found out not every language has a translation for the word coincidence. At the same time, I’ve been listening to this song about taking chances and doing things I have not done before. So it is all up to me now. I am responsible for my own life, so I can choose to do what I like. But there is something nagging at my soul. Now that you are in heaven, do you believe we signed a contract many years ago? That we were old souls with lessons to learn, and we kept coming back until we learned them? Since you taught me about love and passion, what happens now? Are you going to send me smoke signals from heaven so I know I am on the right path?
How do I recognize love again? I don’t want to compare. That makes no difference and is not fair. You know I always believed and still do that each love is different between people. Some are deeper than others; maybe it is the chemistry or soul connection. But babe, I want it all again. It will just be a new different. Who knows maybe even more exciting. (Don’t be mad at me for saying that) – if we were to trade places, I would be wishing you the same. You know that. Respect, trust, and kindness are right up there too. I don’t think a real relationship can exist without those ingredients.
Chemistry is important for sure. The smell and feel of someone’s skin, you just know. But what is it inside of us that makes that decision? Of just knowing? It has to be all connected. Since we are all connected, maybe some of our electrical circuits are wired to spark together. Possibly a wiring system we as humans do not yet understand but respond to. Do all friends share the same values and beliefs that lead to love too? I find myself asking lots of questions this week. You were so easy to be around and just loved to laugh. I miss that a lot. Most of the time it was unexpected too, which made it even better. With chemistry, it is an emotional and intellectual attraction along with spirit. That deep connection and understanding feels so safe and yet difficult to put into words. That is all part of the chemistry. We had one key ingredient, too, a spiritual connection. To me, that goes beyond the physical and emotional aspects. Looking back, I don’t know if we realized we had it. Now reflecting on our lives together, I realize we most certainly did.
That is the connection I am actively searching and praying to find again. Possibly even a shared sense of purpose. There are many challenges in life to navigate; having someone like that by your side is an unbeatable partnership. That strength that lifts you back up or can catch you when you fall. Imagine continuing to evolve as a couple. Continue to grow and learn then pass on discoveries to others. So the process keeps blossoming.
Miss you lots, babe, as I told you and others, a part of my heart always will. This past week was enlightening for me, there is something on the horizon. Now it is up to me to keep all of my senses open. I appreciated you – I’ll leave you with this thought:
Voltaire said “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
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