In your house you may have a room that is your favorite. Maybe it’s just a corner of the room. It’s where you enjoy sitting and spending time. When you’re there, everything just seems right. You experience peace, joy, comfort and encouragement when you’re there.Maybe it’s the decor, the lighting, the furniture or the music which makes this place special. It is a place of inspiration and motivation for you.
Your room may not be a room at all. It might be a restaurant or a park. It may be a movie or artwork. It may be a person.
You may not go into this room every day, but there’s comfort in knowing it is there when you want or need it. The hardest part is when you no longer can go to your room. Something happens and you lose a special place in your life.
On February 12th, the door to my room was shut. Never to be opened again.
My friend, mentor, spiritual guide and role model, John Kilgore, was unexpectedly removed from my life and the lives of others who loved him deeply.
John was unmatched, the utmost example of expressing love and compassion to those around him. He was famous, even infamous, for his unlimited and enveloping hugs. He had a special gift of making whomever he spoke with feel as though they were the most important person in the world to him in that moment. He desperately wanted people to know they were loved.
John taught me to sing… to worship. He taught me to see beauty in God’s creation: mountains, trees, flowers, sunsets… and people. He taught me how to love people with intensity and genuine compassion. He showed me how to bring the best out of those around me.
John was my first example of how to be an artistic man of God. I was desperate for that. My biggest regret was never sharing that with him.
So, what does this mean to you? You may have never met John. My tribute may not strike home with you. I hope you leave with this. Enjoy the rooms of beauty in your life. Never take them for granted. Soak them up and add your own beauty to theirs.
You never know when the door may close.
John visiting us at the hospital upon the birth of my first son.
John, you changed my life. Thank you for loving me and my family. Thank you for making our lives full of beauty. We miss you greatly.
4 Responses to “The Room of Beauty”
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'Casual Fridays' is about what happens when work is less about appearances and more about the humanity within. How do we strip away office politics, corporate jargon and red tape? Wouldn't we rather clothe ourselves in creativity, ideas and productivity? It's an ideal at least worth chasing.
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Melody Lenox
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Dustin,
This is a great tribute to John. As you know he taught me about beauty as well. How to see and recognize beauty, and also how to create a beautiful atmosphere.
Thank you for your insights, your creativity, and your ability to express thoughts in writing in a way that helps me! We were truly blessed to have John as our room of beauty weren’t we?
Love ya, and thanks for sharing!
Melody
Mike Wagner
February 26th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Hi Dustin,
A lot of people in the marketing world talk about designing experience.
Yet there is no substitute for the experience created by one human being serving and loving another.
The “John brand” must have been wonderful to experience!
Your tribute to John is both honoring and enriching.
Keep creating…a room of beauty for others,
Mike
DUST!N
February 27th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I feel a little selfish in having written this post. It was more cathartic for me than informative to my readers. But, I think I needed to get this out before I could move on. Thanks for bearing with me.
Melody, it is comforting to hear from others who experienced the blessing (yes, were were truly blessed) of John’s life impact. We have big shoes to fill!
Mike, great perspective on individual contributions of humanity to a greater community. That’s what ‘The People Brand’ is all about. I was honored to serve alongside John and be counted among his many friends.
Jeanne Dininni
March 20th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Dustin,
This post is very inspirational. Just because it’s personal, that doesn’t mean it’s selfish. Thanks for sharing John’s story. Please don’t give in to regret because you didn’t tell John how much of an impact he had on your life. He knows.
Blessings,
Jeanne