My name is Shelby and I work with Hal. Well, really it is more than that. Hal is also my brother. He is married to my sister Cindy and in every way a brother, but he asked us to post on here in the capacity of what it is like to work with him daily. To be honest I don't think a single person in our office can think of Hal as anything other than family, whether that is true or not. Working with Hal has been a pleasure from the very beginning. He is our sunshine and our laughter. Amazingly even now that has not changed. I can't imagine how hard this has been for him and yet he tries so very hard to make sure that all of us are ok.
When Hal was first diagnosed I was visiting from school and was devastated. I had to leave everyone behind to go finish and rely only on what people would tell me about how things were going, how he was doing. My heart broke not being near, but now I am and my heart still breaks. Being back and working with Hal everyday that he feels up to it is bittersweet.
Hal is an amazing worker, boss and person in general. When he started having balance and strength problems it was a huge concern. Some of what we do can be very dangerous if precautions are not taken and being off balance can mean trouble. This led to us to trying harder to just be there and watch, which I imagine drove Hal nuts. It would never be an issue of trust or thinking he was any less capable, but how could we not worry? Still Hal has found ways to ease or worries and to still be a fantastic worker.
I know that there are moments for all of us that are difficult. What we do for a living reminds us every day of what we will have to do,far too soon, for someone we love with all our hearts. I laugh and smile more when he is with me, even when he feels the need to bring up his own funeral plans... which he gets a kick out of doing because he knows it annoys some of us. I wouldn't have it any other way though because that is Hal.
Overall this is probably the hardest thing many of us have ever had to do in so many different ways, but our work wouldn't be and some day won't be the same without Hal. No matter how much pain comes with him being sick, it could never outweigh the joy of who he is and his presence with us.
I love you my Halbert.
